The bombshell my old man dropped on us clearly left a lasting impact. Only when the call ended, the weight became too much to bear. I wanted to say something, anything just to lessen this pain from my chest. Promised into inevitable silence. He should've kept his big mouth shut, admit the media was in fact telling the truth and that there isn't anything to worry about. Follow blindly like the very sheep still gossiping about the incidents.
Trade ships escorted away from their usual routes within five sectors where these vessels were spotted. Announced as high risk from pirate attacks, followed by a series of investigation points. Planets with defensive units, civilian and warships alike being surveyed for any visual recordings. Though they had eyes on two of the vessels, three were rogue, lost into the abyss. Who's to say there aren't more of them lurking around?
“Ah, isn't it my favorite young Dasia? It's about time we've met.”
The same horrid Jinx spoke out from behind, recognizing that eerie tone. It screeched under his breath as if he was excited to see me. My unnerved gaze met up at him, tensions clearly felt deep with a sense of dread. I had every intention of avoiding any confrontation when it came to the Jinx. They can pick up the slightest change in frequency in a person with the use of their antennas. If someone is lying, or hiding value details while explaining themselves to them. Well, they can easily figure it out.
“Yeah… It has been what? Five days since we spoke?”
“Let's reminisce this greeting privately. We don't need unfortunate broods to waltz around us.”
Are you kidding me? I thought to myself, clearly distressed with the idea of even coming close to those large mandibles. Not to mention his choice of words. ‘Reminisce.’ The very meaning of it sent chills spiraling across my spine.
“Sure… Lead the way.”
I replied. Curiosity seemed to have taken over, more so than the unease his race gives me. As a trading race, this Jinx insectoid should have bountiful information.
“Just as long as you're willing to share anything on what you know. This stays between us.”
“My words are yours. Young Dasia, let's not waste any more valuable time.”
His mandibles clicked in rejoice. He led through the academy halls, away from the cafeteria. An eerie silence began to fill the air, leaving the background noise of our fellow students behind. Peering out through the glass as we walked, there seemed to be more activity than usual. Frigates were guiding cargo ships, dreadnoughts and battleships cycled just over our dim star. Closer inspection, it's as if they're heavily on guard for one of those giant black ships to appear. Hiding behind the pirate story, for the safety of us students and to prevent panic across the galaxy.
His four spiked insect legs that branches off from his abdomen became the only noise I'd hear. The occasional click from him would jolt my attention back to him, expecting him to speak.
“Just where are you taking me?”
I had to ask, growing impatient with each passing step.
“Young Dasia-”
“Rose. Rosemary Kinly to be precise.”
It appears me correcting him seemed to offset him. Stopping in place just to glance back at me with his big bulbous eyes.
“Names are irrelevant, unless you're an elate or a queen. You, you are neither. Your philosophy will never allow you to grow a hive. You may pop out a few liters in your lifetime, but never tens of thousands, to even millions required to sustain a hive. So, to answer your question young Dasia, we are heading to the hanger. We will have our privacy in my cruiser.”
Turned down by an insect, I don't know if I should feel ecstatic or offended. Either way, my chest churns with the words lingering in the air.
Motion sensors detect, illuminating the hanger space upon our presence. Hundreds of locally small cruisers ranged the hall in orderly fashion. Those with a small sum of credits can park here no sweat, though we all live in the academy. Some like their quick access to a vehicle to jet out to wherever they may please.
“You seem distraught, do you not have an aircraft?”
“Got that much out of just glancing at me? No, on occasion I'll take a trip on Luna back and forth. Only when they're in the area, that is, along with a few other students who have family aboard.”
I explained, the Jinx would've found out sooner or later. Best not go through the hassle of prolonging his sneaking efforts.
“Luna, a prideful ship amongst all races. Even comparing it to the capital ships, the very essence of Luna shows true unity amongst the council.”
He indulged with a flick of his claws, teeth chattering with his mandibles. Creepy… So many teeth, so much like a Dasia mating with a bug… Why am I still staring at them?
The Jinx ushered me onto a metal lift, parting ways from the base platform. Gliding in the open space up into the higher levels, meeting against another platform. I followed suit behind, gazing at each personal cruiser here. One was sleek, white with a golden hue, elegant, much like an Aneria. Parked next to it was a bulky disaster, a junkyard model for sure. Neither weld any sort of combat abilities such as the plasma cannons Anerians’ are known to have, or whatever type of a weapon a junkyard ship should wield. However, with its heavy armored plating, the cruiser could be a weapon in itself, if used correctly.
“I don't know what I was expecting.”
Whispering softly to myself when we came across the third ship. Slightly larger than the two before it, deep brown made up of biotechnology. It was as if the cruiser was alive when the armor contracted, pulsing front to back like a heartbeat. Unnoticeable unless you stood basically right next to it. Dread crept its way in me with goosebumps riding up my arms. I was anxious, almost taking it back at the thought of entering it.
Jinxs’ antenna twitched followed by a soft hiss. The ship responded in kind with a hiss similar to his own, muscle like armor pushed at the rear of the haul. A hexagon shaped entrance began to extract away with a metal platform extending out to welcome us in. It's like I'm being fed into the belly of a monster…
“After you, young Dasia.”
He murmured, gesturing me to break out of my bewildered silence. His claw approached over behind me, ushering almost forcefully to comply.
“I can enter the damn thing myself. Claws off…”
I finally managed to mutter out. One step over the open gap between the ship and the docking platform. I rushed myself in, avoiding the walls that pulsed with each unsettling beat. A groan lapsed from his jittering jaws, slowly entering next to me.
“Your discomfort better not get in the way, young Dasia. It runs on the same fusion cores that almost each ship in the Galactic Council uses. Not on the blood or organic matter of the living.”
Even though that's exactly how these damn machines are made. I thought to myself as he made himself comfortable just opposite me. Another hexagon shaped entrance divided us away from the cockpit, leaving us alone in the cabin. Size alone, it could hold an easy ten male Jinxs’, or ten adult centaurs. Compared to myself however, I felt small in this open space.
“So, Jinx.”
Assuming he himself doesn't have a name, since they're irrelevant unless it's from those of importance in his hive.
“What is it you desire to know? Or, well…”
Coming off a little too strong for my tense self. His head tilted with his mandibles clicking in awe.
“Straight to business then. I will admit I didn't expect such a tone from you, young Dasia. Nonetheless, I appreciate it.”
He clicked in a form of a chuckle, amused by my brief moment of strength. Accidental with just how anxious this cruiser has me feeling.
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“Business, in exchange for your details, I'd like to propose a proposition.”
“A proposition?”
I repeated, raising an eyebrow to his unsettling demeanor.
“Yes, but this only depends on what you know. If it doesn't align with what we are aware of, then forget the offer.”
Peaking my curiosity, the damn bug can see right through me. Sorry Diana, I assumed you'd gossip about this first…
“This, this stays between us, correct?”
He nodded his head, his three clawed hands gesturing in agreement.
“Young Dasia, I have no reason to spill what we already know. The mass believes what is fed to them like mindless drones. Changing that would disrupt the very core that's being held by the threads of fate. It's not good for business, am I correct?”
I had to admit he's right on the nail. The squirming pulse of the ship vibrated against my back as I leaned in. Tail shifting to my side with my ears twitching nervously.
“Luna had discovered one of the relay stations destroyed, with video footage of an enormous black haul ship crashing into it. Two other sectors dealt with the same fate as civilian transport vessels collided with the ominous ships.”
As if the weight of this knowledge was finally being lifted away. Thankfully, I could just spill it without being judged like I'm crazy for not following the medias’ program. I continued…
“The story about pirate vessels being obliterated was true for two in the northernmost quadrant. Weapons online, the vessels still in somewhat working condition while drifting in the void. With those two, my father mentioned carrier strike groups with a multitude of warships trailing them, unsure if they'll try intercepting.”
He leaned in listening to what I had to say, appearing intrigued with what he heard. His mandibles even stopped clicking, possibly still registering everything. Shoot, I was just glad he didn't interrupt me, a breath of air for good measure.
“Anything else? Was an engram discovered? Was some form of contact initiated before the collision?”
He questioned softly, shaking my head as a response.
“Was told anything else was too high for his pay grade. Just to keep an eye out to the stars if any dark voids were to appear.”
He hummed to himself before averting his gaze away from me toward the hexagon entrance to the cockpit. He banged his exoskeleton hand against the biomass separating the two rooms.
“Let's go.”
“Wait… What?”
The ship began to shake, vibrating all around me. I shuddered, clenching my fists into the organic matter while watching the docking plate lift back into the cruiser with the entrance sealing itself.
“Jinx! What do you think you're doing!”
I yelled furiously. The audacity of this fucking insect.
“Settle your nerves young Dasia. All due will be explained in the meantime, just control-”
“Control what? Control my anger? You better start speaking ya Exo-Wank!”
As if every instinct inside of me began screaming all at once. Before I knew it, I lunged forward in an attempt to grab his mandibles, only for the ship to rock out from its gravity held hanger. Slamming myself into the walls then ceiling painfully, floating in the air with daggers staring down at the bug.
“Fierce young Dasia, a well lit fire that should be put to good use.”
The Jinx made his remark. The doorway to the cockpit spiraled open, my gaze widening to see an Aneria stepping into the open. Her wings folded behind herself, graceful with a golden hue with silver scales beading down to each end. Her face, a mixed between soft clean flesh to shiny scales hugging against her cheeks and neck. Her attire aligned with carbon fibers that matched the very essence of beauty. Gold and silver with red gems, rubies possibly, to match her scarlet gaze toward me.
“You did offer a proposal to her, right Flint?”
“Flint?”
I repeated dryly. Her gaze didn't seem to leave me as she spoke either.
“A name I gave him, since his abdomen reminds me of what flint looks like. I refuse to use the whole race talk, and I object to being called anything other than my name. So, Flint, did you?”
Flint clicked a little too furiously at the bothersome notion of that name even being used. Either way, it appears I can use it to dive a mental dagger in him whenever I feel like it.
“No… I jumped the gun after she explained herself.”
“Mhmm. Get in the cockpit and start up the AI. Stay in there until I allow you to come out. Avarr! Come on out, our Flint needs some time to reflect on himself!”
As she spoke that name, the ship began to rock with a sudden groan.
“Avarr coming. No need to shout.”
A large Makic came, forcing himself through the narrow entrance. Darkened skin that's just as tough as steel, leather torn clothes that were hugging him to their absolute limits. Small beaded eyes with a large mouth, just looking at him and you can feel the draft blowing out from one ear through the other. Not me being mean or anything, but people do say Makic brings great company to the table, even if they give off an intimidating impression at first glance.
“Hmm, Feline. Pleasure, name’s Avarr.”
Avarr stretched his large leathery skinned hand up toward me.
“Rosemary, or Rose for short…”
I replied, still feeling roughed up from the sudden kidnapping against my will. Following the gesture in return, his hand, possibly three times greater the size of my own, coiled around mine in a strong embrace. Yanking me back down from the ceiling to the floor before the gravity emitters chimed to life.
“Rose, safe. Take a seat, there is much to discuss.”
He let me go, his tone hardened to match his very physic. Besides the rough edges he was sporting, Avarr was soft. I can't say I've ever seen someone with a wide smile like his.
“Thanks Avarr… So, mind explaining what the Jinx failed to do?”
“Certainly so. Before you ask, my name's Valerie Mahonae the twenty-third.”
I've heard their species just rename their kin after themselves according to their sex. It's something that aligns with their ‘royal’ persona, but in reality it's nothing special. Best not to judge or act like it's not, as most can be offended by such remarks.
“The twenty-third huh? It's a pleasure to make myself acquainted with you, Valerie.”
Royalty in her mind, or to be a means of being friendly. Either way, she appears to be mused by my welcoming words. As if it was caressing her ego in one way or another.
“Pleasure, Miss Rose. Now to the matters at hand, short and sweet. Hive mind over here, you're familiar with their species yielding the gift of telepathy?”
I slowly nodded my head in response, taking a seat to make myself comfortable. This is going to be a long trip…
“Flint has been in contact with his birth hive each day. One of the drone vessels stumbled across a blackened ship, quite possibly the same kind you have described. Keeping it short, the hive wants him to explore the vessel. Males are expendable creatures in their eyes, and he's the closest one to the location. He needed a crew of those who he saw were trustworthy, or just useful.”
The words Valerie spoke hung in the air, she stopped for a moment just so I could process the gravity of what's happening.
“In your case, I'm sure it's the ladder.”
“Usefulness? Why exactly am I needed for such an excursion?”
It's not like I would've declined if I was actually offered the chance to go. The curiosity around these war torn marbles lost in the void, it has been bubbling inside of me for the past five days. From feeling anxious about them, to a bitter sense of wonderment.
“Small, agile, and adaptable. No other race can compete with that. I mean, look at us three and tell me we could fit through anywhere too narrow? We would be relying too much on Avarr to break everything in our path, and we wish to keep the integrity of the ship intact. Understand?”
Valerie had a solid reason for choosing me, one that I couldn't argue against. However, the word ‘small’ hung in the air for some reason, stinging at my nerves each time I felt it echo in my ears.
“I see your point… I mean, it's not like I can decline this invitation. All I can do now is be of use.”
“I'm glad you understand.”
She mused to herself thoughtfully, snapping at the Makic like some animal.
“Pass me my data pad, please Avarr.”
The Makic groaned in response, diving his fingers into his large sum of pouches attached to leather bound straps against his chest. Peeling each one open until a golden device is pulled out with the utmost caution. Those meaty hands appear to be struggling, trying with all his might not to shatter it like glass.
“Here Val, next time, you pull it out.”
He grumbled, settling his nerves whilst Valerie accepted it in open arms. The Anerian didn't seem to be unphased by such intimidating tactics, his words fell on deaf ears. A smug expression lapsed over her face, grinning ear to ear as she fiddled with the device.
“Have you heard them speak?”
“Are you telling me you have an audio recording from them?”
Puzzled, but then again, my old man did state everything else was way above his pay grade. This lady was amusing herself at this point, as if she's been waiting all her life for this moment to come.
“Yes, but let me rephrase my statement. We have the audio, then digitized it down in a format. A bunch of dots and lines would appear, and after a certain length they would repeat. My AI has been working tirelessly in deciphering their language but with no prevail. My theory is they're some mechanized race, or used to be.”
Valerie ranted on, forcing herself next to me with the data pad in tow. Curiosity filled to the brim, raising an eyebrow at the mess of dots, dashes and lines that were being shown. What kind of language is that?
“Volume is on, it'll follow the highlighted areas as it reads the message.”
“
.-- . / ..-. .- .. .-.. . -.. / - --- / .... --- .-.. -.. / - .... . / .-.. .. -. . .-.-.- / .-- . --..-- / .-- . / .- .-. . / ... --- .-. .-. -.-- .-.-.- / .. ..-. / -.-- --- ..- / .-. . -.-. . .. ...- . / - .... .. ... / -- . ... ... .- --. . --..-- / -.-- --- ..- / -. . . -.. / - --- / . ...- .- -.-. ..- .- - . .-.-.- / .-- . / -- ..- ... - / .--. .-. --- - . -.-. - / - .... . / .-. . -- . -. .- -.-. . / --- ..-. / .... ..- -- .- -. .. - -.-- / -. --- / -- .- - - . .-. / - .... . / -.-. --- ... - .-.-.- / -.. --- / -. --- - / .. -. - . .-. ..-. . .-. . / .-- .. - .... / - .... . / .-. . .-.. --- -.-. .- - .. -. --. / .--. .-. --- -.-. . ... ... .-.-.- / .... .. -.. . / .. -. / - .... . / ... .... .- -.. --- .-- ... / .- -. -.. / -.. --- -. .----. - / .-.. . - / -.-- --- ..- .-. ... . .-.. ..-. / -... . / -.- -. --- .-- -. .-.-.- / - .... . -.-- .----. .-. . / -.-. --- -- .. -. --. --..-- / .- -. -.. / - .... . -.-- / .-- --- -. .----. - / ... - --- .--. / ..- -. - .. .-.. / .- .-.. .-.. / .. -. - . .-.. .-.. .. --. . -. - / .-.. .. ..-. . / .. ... / .-- .. .--. . -.. / ..-. .-. --- -- / - .... . / ..- -. .. ...- . .-. ... . .-.-.-
“