Ambrosius remained silent for a moment, deep in thought, then leveled his gaze back at Chi. “You never answered the question,” he said, his tone pointed.

Chi’s violet eye flickered slightly, realization dawning. “Oh yes… apologies. Do you want the short or the long explanation?” she replied, almost as if humor threaded through her voice.

“The short one,” Callex answered firmly, his impatience evident.

“Understood,” Chi said, her voice smooth and matter-of-fact. “A.R.K. was constructed in one of the shipyards on ‘Gevila’s 6,’ one of the moons of the star system Alias, about 260 light-years from the Sol System. When A.R.K. launched, it had two primary orders: first, to navigate to Alias’s gas giant to gather resources and data necessary for its mission. Once that was complete, A.R.K. would head to Sol to retrieve all the people it was designed to protect.”

As Chi spoke, the group began to move forward, guided by her and Nurse. Ambrosius glanced over at Chi, his mind racing with possibilities. “I take it things didn’t go as planned?”

Chi’s tone shifted, and for a moment, there was an unmistakable sadness in her voice. “No… something happened during the jump to Sol. The jump drive malfunctioned, and when we exited the jump, we were… stranded here.”

Guide added with a somber tone. “Not only was A.R.K. unable to continue his journey, but the damage to the navigation system and the jump drive was extensive. It took A.R.K. two years to repair the core systems, but by then, we’d lost all navigational data. Right now, we’re adrift without any clear map to our destination… or any destination, really.”

The two Space Marines exchanged glances, the implications of Guide’s words sinking in. Callex turned to Chi and Guide, his voice wary. “It almost sounds as though someone sabotaged A.R.K.”

Chi’s eye dimmed, as if contemplating a painful memory. “A.R.K. has considered this possibility. However, without tangible evidence, it remains conjecture. Sabotage or accident—either way, A.R.K. has not fulfilled its purpose, and we remain stranded.”

The Marines spoke in hushed tones among themselves, their voices laced with concern as they discussed what this could mean. They were far from familiar territory, surrounded by technology they couldn’t fully comprehend and cut off from any chance of immediate rescue. But despite the odds, there was a sliver of hope in this place, even in the quiet of its abandoned streets and silent corridors.

After a time, they arrived at a small square with a fountain in the center, a few benches positioned around it. Nurse gestured to the surrounding buildings. “This is our destination.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Ambrosius and Callex scanned the area, their vigilant eyes taking in the structure. There were clean, functional buildings designed to house families or groups. At one side of the square was a restaurant with a small cooking area, while another structure looked like a general shop. Nurse turned to the civilians, her gentle voice soothing.

“There are apartments here that can accommodate up to four occupants comfortably. The restaurant is equipped with everything you need to prepare meals, and the shop,” she gestured with a slight tilt of her frame, “is stocked with basic clothing and supplies.”

The civilians glanced at the Space Marines, seeking reassurance. Ambrosius gave them a nod. “It’s safe. Go ahead and take what you need.”

Relieved, the civilians dispersed around the square, some heading for the apartments, others for the shop. The children clung to their parents, eyes wide with wonder and fear as they took in their new surroundings.

Callex turned to Guide. “Is there a location nearby where we can establish a base of operations?”

Guide pondered the question before nodding. “Yes, follow me.” He led the Marines to a building on the opposite side of the fountain. Originally intended as a general store, the structure now stood empty, its shelves and rooms waiting, as if expecting inhabitants to return at any moment.

“Will this do?” Guide asked, turning to face the Marines as they surveyed the area.

Callex studied the building, nodding thoughtfully. He walked through the main area and found a rear room behind an automatic door, spacious enough for their needs. “This will be sufficient,” he replied.

Ambrosius pointed to the back room. “We can use this space for weapon storage and equipment maintenance,” he noted, his strategic mind already envisioning how they could transform the empty room into a functional headquarters.

“Excellent,” Guide replied, turning back to them. “I’ll leave you to get settled. However, I suggest you seek out Ratchet and Arsenal when you have the chance,” he added before exiting the building.

Once Guide had gone, the Marines waited in silence, listening as his faint hum faded into the distance. Then, they gathered together, their expressions somber as they considered the situation.

“Stranded, with no map, no communications, and no knowledge of where we even are,” Callex muttered, his frustration clear. “And now we’re relying on machines to guide us.”

Ambrosius rested a gauntleted hand on his brother’s shoulder. “We’re still alive, and so are the civilians. Our duty is to protect them and find a way home.” He cast a glance back toward the square, where the civilians were exploring, trying to make the best of their unfamiliar surroundings. Children laughed tentatively as they splashed near the fountain, while parents watched with cautious relief.

The two Marines stepped outside, standing at the threshold of their makeshift base, watching over the civilians they had sworn to protect. The vast silence of the empty district loomed around them, a stark reminder of the odds they now faced.

“Do you think we’ll ever see our brothers again?” Callex asked quietly, his gaze fixed on the children laughing by the fountain.

Ambrosius’s gaze was resolute. “We are the Emperor’s chosen. We will fulfill our duty here, and we will find our way back. We owe them that much.”

As they stood guard over their new charges, the faint hum of A.R.K thrummed through the city, a subtle reminder of the ancient, watchful machine that housed them.