Assessing them swiftly, Raivyn noted that the insectoids wore robes that appeared to be woven from vegetation and some carried a kind of elongated crossbow with metal tipped arrows. The crossbows were pointed down, but she still eyed the wielders warily.

"We've got sapients, that's for sure," said Vanbrook, his hand hovering by his revolver.

As the party of insectoids approached, Raivyn began to calm down some. They didn't appear hostile, and the leader of the group held a basket filled with spongy green orbs. If they were weapons, Raivyn couldn't imagine how the creature planned to use them. The crossbowmen appeared to be more of an honor guard than a threat of force.

When the insectoids stood about ten yards from the squad, they stopped as a unit. The leader set the basket on the shore. Rising back up, the leader's long antennae waved and there was a series of chirps that must have been the creature's native tongue. The entire group then retreated, walking backwards, back to the lake.

Hrake bounded back into the shuttle, and emerged with a crate of gifts like the one he had been presented with when he first met Talon Squad. He held the crate out before himself like the insectoid had done, and walked quickly but calmly towards the retreating group. Jointed fingers held crossbows a little tighter, but the group stopped moving and stood as passively as their nerves would allow.

The leader accepted the gift with another waving of antennae, then continued back into the water.

"Well done, Hrake," said D'Jarric as the insectoids disappeared below the water. "Though I believe you may have scared them a bit."

Hrake chuckled. "Seeing space travelers of an alien race for the first time is quite intimidating, take it from me. Given that I was a giant in their eyes I believe they acted very bravely."

Raivyn called Jasken immediately and filled him in on the situation.

"Of course this changes our plans," said Jasken as he digested the information. "We can turn off that beacon, to start with, though I suppose half the galaxy is on its way here by now. What was in the basket, by the way?"

"Fruit," said Hrake over Raivyn's shoulder. There was green juice dripping from his chin. "Not very sweet and fairly mild, but altogether not bad."

"And, let's pray, not poisonous to Hrudukites," said Jasken with a raised eyebrow.

"You managed to drive off the Astralbians?" asked Raivyn.

"Yes," answered Jasken. "The trunk buster missile spooked them. Unfortunately, we took some damage in the hangar area. I'm afraid the second shuttle is currently inoperable."

"And you're hesitant to send a larger ship at the moment?" Raivyn asked.

Jasken nodded grimly. "Stay where you are for now, try to make inroads with the locals. We'll have the Gladius come pick you up."

"And what's the situation with the Astralbians?" asked Raivyn.

Jasken sighed. "They've backed off for now, out of fear, not goodwill. I've talked to the Prime Minister. We are still not officially at war with the Astralbian Kingdom. The Parliament is divided on how to respond and getting antsy. We are free to defend ourselves but forbidden from acts of aggression."

"Then don't let me near 'em," scoffed Vanbrook.

"You'll get your chance, Vanbrook," said Jasken. "I'll promise you that."

***

Across the settled galaxy, alerts sounded on various consoles, tablets and display screens. A new beacon had been established, far out in the unexplored depths.

Aboard the Tailor, Grand Brother Treskt smiled. They were close- so close.

Admiral Gnash, closing in on Grim's position, noted the alert with interest. The new planet wasn't too far from where his fleet was.

From aboard her star tree, Crush noted the beacon and nodded. Hopefully the PIC's presence in the Cluster would be attributed to that. She doubted it.

Jylik, still retreating from the Republic's position, rolled his eyes. Now the whole galaxy would be coming to join the festivities.

***

The region Reclan had chosen to land in was still experiencing morning when they crashed, and Talon Squad spent their day diligently setting up camp and watching the shoreline. While the interaction had been peaceful, experience had taught them that, regardless of technology or any other outward signals, first contact relationships could go sour in the blink of an eye for reasons that would be hotly debated for generations.

However, despite keeping watch in shifts, no insectoids were seen for a full day. When they did emerge, it was a larger delegation than on the first day. The leader looked to be the same as before, and the two archers were still watching over the proceedings. This group was much more openly curious, antenna waving and eyes searching.

"Huh," said Vanbrook, not sure what to do with himself. "Should we do a dance or something?"

Raivyn rolled her eyes. "Or I could try to speak to their leader."

Reaching out with her mind, she looked the leader in the eyes and tapped her temple. When the gentle swell of T-waves touched the insectoid's mind, there was a flurry of antennae and a series of screeching chirps.

The archers gripped their crossbows warily and the smaller creatures, presumably the youngest, scrambled back to the lake. Raivyn dropped the attempt immediately, holding up empty hands to signify that she was not a threat. The insectoids carefully backed away into the lake.

***

Grim blasted through the dense forests of Avonia, his stolen hoverbike snapping through vines and crushing the undergrowth. Behind him, a rolling cloud bristled with lightning, threatening to overtake him if he dared slow down.

"Gnash," he demanded over his comm, "have a gang plank down and energy weapons at the ready. Be prepared to take off immediately."

"What are you bringing down on us?" asked the rival pirate.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Just shoot anything behind me," snapped Grim impatiently.

When he burst into the clearing, the ramp was down and he drove right up it. Energy cannons fired into the clouds behind him as he slammed down into the deck, scattering some members of Gnash's crew.

"Fire up the engines!" bellowed Gnash. "Let's get off this miserable rock!"

As the rusted galleon rose into the sky, Gnash stormed over to Grim. "Did I just fire on a storm cloud?"

"Admiral Gnash, surprisingly good to see you," said Grim with a mock bow. "That creature was evidently some kind of energy being with a penchant for destroying electromagnetic equipment."

"And I assume you know where we can go to get our promised payment?"

"We're going to need to catch up with the Astralbians that ought to be nearby."

"Any chance that would be related to the new Republic beacon that showed up and then disappeared?"

"Was it further out in uncharted space?" asked Grim.

Gnash nodded.

Grim chuckled. "Then that's where we're going."

***

Crush watched as Admiral Gnash's ship rose from Avonia, no doubt with Grim aboard.

"We're unlikely to be in range before they jump," said Hacksaw.

They had arrived at Avonia just in time to see Gnash's fleet assembling for the jump to the Cornucopia Cluster.

"No," said Crush, looking hungrily at the just-out-of-reach fleet. "We'll catch them in the Cluster. There must be money to make out there or they wouldn't be going. We'll just have to jump after them, take them out, and see if we can take advantage of whatever opportunities they're pursuing."

***

Jasken was more than a little annoyed when his call was again answered by the Crown Prince’s underling.

“Lady Trilia,” he said coolly. “I was hoping to speak with Crown Prince Jylik.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” she replied.

Jasken nodded. “Please inform your Prince that sapient life has been contacted on this planet and the IGC will be arriving shortly to examine the situation. The Griffon Republic is, of course, rescinding any claims it previously made on this world.”

“We are aware of your weak-willed policies,” said Trilia dismissively. “The Astralbian Kingdom will do as it sees fit.”

“So it will,” said Jasken, his voice level. “Understand that if the Astralbian Kingdom wills to make war on the Republic, as it is increasingly clear it does, that the Republic will be ready with the trunk buster munitions that were demonstrated during our last encounter.”

Trilia gave Jasken a smile that did not reach her eyes and ended the call.

***

Darvik walked on to the bridge of the Swamp's Pride.

"You wanted to see me, Hoon-Kra?"

The cult leader turned from the screen he'd been looking at. "Yes. I have a special mission for you."

"Well doesn't that sound promising," scoffed Darvik.

"Forgive me if that came off as condescending, Darvik," said Hoon-Kra, raising his palms in apology. "All I want is to give you the opportunity you've been hoping for. A beacon on this new world means a ground team. A ground team means Talon Squad."

"And Talon Squad means Vanbrook," said Darvik, nodding. "So you want me to kill Talon Squad?"

Hoon-Kra nodded. "You will have a small shuttle. We will avoid contact with the Republic fleet, and you will take Talon Squad down before the Republic knows we're there. While they investigate the disappearance, we will continue our exploration of the Cornucopia Cluster."

Darvik nodded. It was a suicide mission. Hoon-Kra could hardly expect him to kill not only Vanbrook, but an entire elite squad including a Solaran and one of the Republic's most powerful psychics.

"Sounds like a plan," he said.

***

Over the next week, Talon Squad made the best of being stuck on the surface. Avo7-AW.98 was a lush, green planet and, in addition to the aquatic lake fruits the locals had provided, had a number of edible fruits and game animals so the squad didn’t have to live on preserved meats and rations.

Vanbrook was lying in a hammock he’d set up by the lake shore, humming to himself and chowing down on one of the lake fruits. Raivyn resisted the urge to flip the loafer out of his hammock as she walked up.

“The Gladius is supposed to be here in a day’s time,” she said.

Vanbrook looked up, almost disappointed. “And they’re going to pick us up, right?”

“Right,” said Raivyn.

“I imagine the IGC will be on their heels,” noted Vanbrook.

“Right again. We’re going to try to find an uninhabited but habitable world in the Cluster to establish a Republic presence. Sounds like Mairen has already found some potential worlds, actually. Then maybe we can all find a hammock to lay in.”

Vanbrook shrugged. “Look if you want me to set one up for you, all you have to do is ask.”

Raivyn gave into the urge after all, grabbing onto the side of the hammock with two hands and flipping it over. Vanbrook's eyes went wide as his world spun, but he was picking himself up out of the sand and laughing heartily as Raivyn walked away.

***

Out for what had become his daily walk, Hrake thought he heard music coming from a small grotto. Taking a diversion from the path he'd become accustomed to walking around the lake, he turned into the grotto to investigate the sound.

Stepping around a large tree, he spotted one of the lake-dwelling insectoids playing with the Raki seashell harp from the crate of gifts he'd given them.

Hrake coughed softly to try to get the creature's attention without startling them. The creature looked up, saw Hrake's massive form and shrieked. Hrake put his palms up in a gesture of peace. His exit to the lake blocked by Hrake's huge form, the insectoid cowered in place.

Holding out his hand, Hrake wordlessly requested the harp. Hands shaking, the insectoid gave it to him. Smiling, Hrake took the harp in one hand and began to pluck some strings with the other. The insectoid perked up.

***

"I meant no offense with my earlier comment, your highness," said Lady Trilia as she walked into the Crown Prince's chamber. "I just have such pressing issues to discuss with you."

Jylik huffed. "I have already forgotten the offense, I assure you. Now what is it you want to discuss?"

Trilia took a small orb from her robes and set it on the table. Covered in membranous discs that resembled a frog's naked eardrums, it stood on three spindly legs and thrummed softly. A look of disbelief crossed Jylik's features. Of course, communication blockers such as this one were familiar to him, but he did not know Trilia possessed one.

"My lord, it is high time you ascended to the throne."

"Patricide?" asked Jylik in a disaffected voice. "That's what this is about?"

"The King will not be happy with your unauthorized and unsuccessful attack on the Republic."

Jylik sneered at the noblewoman.

"You made the right choice," she continued, unbothered by the glare. "We must seize the opportunities afforded by the Cornucopia Cluster and reassert the dominance of the Astralbian Empire. Your father will refuse to do what is necessary and you know it."

Jylik motioned towards the door. "Leave."

That had gone about as well as expected. She never thought her task would be an easy one.

Walking back to her screen room aboard Jylik's star tree, Lady Trilia sighed as another call came in. However, it was not Jasken calling back this time. It was a Ramshackle Collective ID. She sneered at the screen, then composed herself and answered.

A skull-faced robot with a beard of chains appeared on her screen.

"Tell Jylik I'm here to collect."

***

Vanbrook had settled back into his hammock when Hrake came dancing up the shoreline, plucking a shell harp and singing in Hrudukite with a crowd of locals following behind.

"You are just full of surprises, friend," said Vanbrook before the happy warrior was even in earshot.

As Vanbrook expertly dismounted from the hammock to greet the merry band, he heard the sound of a shuttle's engines above and looked up. Sure enough, a bright yellow PIC landing shuttle was descending towards the camp.

"Hey," said Vanbrook into his comm. "Anyone got eyes on the incoming craft? Not sure what they're up to but it sure ain't the Gladius."