“What have you got for me?” Trey asked as he entered the meeting room. He recognized the Lieutenant in charge the mission to scout the outpost. The man seemed shaken, and Trey assumed it wasn’t anything to do with all the ship’s command personnel being in the room with him.
“Lieutenant Fitzpatrick, sirs,” the lieutenant saluted to Trey and the Guard Captains. Trey nodded and waved him on.
“Sirs, upon entering the outpost’s airspace, someone hailed us and requested our help. Aerial reconnaissance revealed no hostile movement. Our presence over the outpost was uncontested.”
Trey frowned and rapped his knuckles on the table to quell the murmuring which arose at the lieutenant’s revelation.
“I approached the outpost, but told the other two scout vehicles to maintain their distance. The outpost is almost empty. Only a hundred souls remain, and most of them are in terrible health. Malnutrition, sickness, and some of them have been quarantined because of the presence of a parasitic organism. We didn’t get too close to any of the outpost’s inhabitants, but when we send in teams, they’ll need some hazmat gear. Those people need help, and I’m not sure how much longer most of them are going to survive on their own.”
Dead quiet in the room. Trey was sure that everyone’s thoughts were similar.
“Anything on the whereabouts of Clarke?” Captain Gregor asked.
“Negative, sir. The remaining personnel report that he and his men went insane over the last month, and after shooting down the Merciful Cloud, they deteriorated even further. He disappeared one night, and half of the Guard platoon stationed at the outpost were dead. The survivors said it was the parasite, sir. They think Clarke introduced it—”
“Hold on, pause,” Guard Captain Bell said. “Tell us more about this parasite. And how many of the outpost’s Guard contingent survived?”
“I’m not too sure about the details, sir. After getting a basic idea about what happened, we found the remains of some of the Guards scattered throughout the outpost. It seems something tore the guards’ remains apart from the inside. Apparently, the parasite doesn’t survive very long once the host is dead, and it doesn’t take well to fatal conditions. The current hypothesis is that it’s a native organism which isn’t adapted too well reproduce through human beings.”
“But it’s still capable of, what, draining people of their muscle and fat tissue?” Guard Captain Niklaus asked.
The lieutenant shrugged.
“It appears so, but to be honest, this isn’t my field of expertise, sir.”
Guard Captain Niklaus nodded, granting him the point.
“What are we thinking?” Trey asked.
“I recommend we move out straight away, sir,” Guard Captain Niklaus said to Trey, “We should continue with the original plan. We’ll have everyone prepared for a search and rescue operation, but I have heard no reason to assume that this operation will be any less dangerous than we’d planned for. There are still a lot of unknown variables — this madness in Clarke. What’s to say it’s something that the survivors won’t manifest?”
Guard Captain Bell nodded as he spoke.
“Better to keep our men safe than be sorry that we weren’t prepared,” he said.
Trey nodded.
“Then the operation a go. Lieutenant, thank you for your report. I’d also like to check the outpost out as well, if you wouldn’t mind, captains?”
“Are you sure that’s wise, sir?” Captain Gregor asked.
“I have been confined to this ship for far too long, Abraham. I feel it’s important that I take a risk with the men I’m sending out. Besides, the situation at the outpost has changed.”
The Guard captains shared a skeptical look, but the boss has decided, and it was their job to accommodate him.
“Yes, sir. Come by the hangar bay and we’ll have you outfitted with some hazmat gear before we leave,” Guard Captain Niklaus said.
“My role will be purely observational. I’m sure it’ll be a pleasant surprise for the survivors as well. Even if we don’t have the full story, it sounds like they’ve been living in something like hell for the last little while. I need to assure them that the company is dedicated to their recovery and safety.
After that, Trey left to prepare to depart. Before he left, he needed to inform the kids that he’d be leaving.
----------------------------------------
Trey pressed the button beside the door leading to his daughter’s quarters. He asked Hunter to meet him there, but he was sure the boy still had his head buried in a pile of papers. When the door opened, Aera had been frowning, and was probably about to let loose some choice words for whoever had interrupted her a few moments of peace between meetings.
Her features eased when she saw it was him, instead of some tiresome subordinate. She invited him in and gave him a big hug once the door slid shut behind him. In public, she wasn’t one to show much familial affection. She had an image to maintain. Trey tried to assure her that there were more skilful ways of establishing boundaries, and that showing a warm human side wasn’t a bad thing.
He was happy to let her discover these things on her own. They would have the most lasting impact that way. All he could do was serve as an example.
“How did the meeting go?” Trey asked her when they sat around the small table in her quarters. He cleared a few folders so that he’d have a space for the tea she was brewing for him. He wasn’t a tea guy which everyone who knew him could testify to, but he’d bend the rules for his daughter once in a while.
But only once in a while.
“It went as well as it could. It took a significant amount of effort to keep everyone focused. The agriculture people were the most upset. Having so many resources put towards the colony’s defence means that everyone’s schedule needs to be extended by a few months. But given the stakes, and the threats we might deal with, most of them kept a level head.”
“I’m so proud of you,” Trey said. “A few years ago, you’d have drowned in that sort of environment. Now look at you, corralling administrative cats like a pro.”
Aera snorted, but seemed pleased by the praise.
“I wouldn’t have drowned, but yes, I would have found it much more difficult.”
“What do you think has been the biggest contribution to your newfound prowess?”
Aera frowned at the question as she considered.
“I think it’s been my time with Hunter.”
“Oh?” Trey said. He didn’t expect that answer, but it was nice to hear.
“Yeah, he taught me a lot about my blind spots. Being decisive is important, but I think I’m more patient and forgiving than I was before meeting him. He showed me just how off the mark my perceptions can be.”
“You’re taking the time to get to know people before making reflexive judgements.”
Aera seemed flustered by the way he’d said it, but she didn’t deny it. Another point of humility she seemed to have developed in the previous year-and-a-half that she and Hunter had known each other.
Stolen story; please report.
He had felt confident that their time together would be mutually beneficial. His consistently accurate judgement should no longer surprise him. But he’d by lying if he said that it didn’t feel good. Especially when the outcome was a net positive for the Oberon family.
The door chimed again, and Aera opened it, revealing Hunter’s towering frame.
“Speak of the devil,” Trey said.
“Talking about me behind my back, again?” Hunter asked in faux offense.
“You should hear the scathing criticisms we were sharing. Nothing but the most wretched comments, I assure you.”
“Well, I learn from the best. Take it up with my role models,” Hunter said, winking at them.
“Touche,” Trey said, holding up his hands in surrender.
“Sorry I wasn’t able to make it to the demonstration, Hunter,” Aera said. “I had to attend an emergency meeting with some of the most affected department heads concerning the colony’s changing priorities.”
“You missed quite the show,” Hunter said.
“And then some,” Trey said. “What’s this excitement I hear about anomalous etheric fluctuations?”
“Just something I sensed from the surroundings during the demonstration. Guard Captain Niklaus is having someone from the bridge analyze all the footage from the ship’s external video feeds. It’s probably nothing. Maybe a passing Class-1, but it doesn’t hurt to be sure.”
“Be sure to keep me updated,” Trey said, then he cleared his throat.
“So, there’s been a slight change in plans. The assault on the outpost will now be more of a rescue operation. I’m going to be going with them — holding up the Oberon banner, you know.”
“Rescue?” Aera asked.
“Apparently Clarke and a few of his trusted subordinates went insane and fled the outpost. Half of the Guard platoon stationed there is dead, and the rest, among with most of the outpost’s remaining inhabitants, are suffering various states of ill health, including a mysterious parasite.”
He could tell that the news was working through them the same way it did for everyone else who’d been at the briefing.
Skyhold appeared more mysterious and dangerous every day.
“Are you sure it’s wise for you to be going?” Hunter asked.
“I think it’s the right thing to do. I want people to see me there, despite the danger. We’re all in this together.”
“Maybe it’s best if I go instead,” Aera said. Trey made a cutting motion with his hand and shook his head.
“No, I’ve decided. It’ll be fine. There’s an entire platoon of guards going with me. If it makes you feel any better, I’m sure the Guard captains will keep me far from any potential action until the outpost is secure.
They weren’t too pleased that they were being confined to the ship, but he promised to keep in regular contact with them. He’d only be gone for half a day while the condition of the outpost was assessed.
He left them after another 30 minutes of chatting. He once more assured them he was in capable hands and gave them both a hug. For the first time, he hugged Hunter, pleased by the boy’s reciprocal affection.
He’d really grown quite attached to the young man over the last little while. Maybe it was because he reminded Trey of all the best traits in Gideon — except much more open and warm towards others. Maybe it was because in the short period they’d known each other, he’d really come to see Hunter as something of a son.
Trey wasn’t afraid of his feelings of warmth. He welcomed them. As far as he was concerned, Hunter was family now. He made the family stronger. He was sure that Aera was feeling the same now. Better yet, Hunter seemed to feel a genuine sense of belonging with them.
Soon, it was time for him to arrive at the hangar bay, where someone fitted him with a hazmat suit and a sidearm. He wished he’d had one of Hunter’s fancy new Aegis shields. The demonstration had really made an impact on him and the others, and he was excited about the future of Skyhold’s development, with someone like Hunter leading the way into a new future.
After waiting around for an hour, everything was prepared. With a ship-wide announcement signalling the start of the operation, a half dozen scout ships carried the platoon towards their destination, to rescue nearly a hundred souls from the hell they call home.
----------------------------------------
After Trey left, Hunter and Aera had an hour to kill before Aera was called away to a meeting, and they both agreed that a good workout would help them recalibrate. They headed to one of the ship’s gyms, but an interruption prevented them from starting their workout.
A small chime brought Hunter’s attention to his personal radio, which he’d brought in his bag with a change of clothes.
“Hunter, this is Commander Striker. I’m requesting your presence on the bridge at your earliest convenience.”
Hunter sighed.
“Sorry, Aera. Looks like I’ll have to kick your ass some other time.”
“You should know better than that by now,” Aera said. “Very well. We’ll call a raincheck for your demise.”
“Demise, she says,” Hunter said. “Just wait. One day, you’ll be asking me for advice.”
“Nothing would please me more than for the student to outshine their master,” Aera said with the air of a wise sage.
He scoffed and threw his uniform on over his workout clothes.
“You might as well come with me. If this is what I think it is, you might find it interesting.” Hunter said.
“The video feed?”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping,” he said.
Aera fished around in her bag for her watch.
“I’ve got some time before my next meeting. I don’t mind coming with you.”
They both left the gym and made their way to the bridge. When Commander Striker saw them entering, he waved them aside into the private meeting room. There was a crewman there waiting for them.
“Seems like a lot of trouble to go through in order to show us a video,” Hunter said, a strange sense of excitement conflicting with a sense of anxiousness.
“You’ll understand once you see its contents. You two are the only other command staff aboard the ship at the moment, so it was imperative that I fill you two in as soon as soon as I verified the video’s contents. Show them.”
The crewman was holding a large laptop computer. He pressed a few buttons and turned the display around for Hunter and Aera to see.
The display showed a scene of trees. Hunter saw himself using the Repulsor device at its maximum setting, and Aera made some appreciative sounds when she saw its effect. Then the video zoomed in, past the demonstration into the distance. A small red box appeared around an area of interest, in the approximate location that Hunter had felt the disturbance come from.
For a brief second, a human being appeared from between two trees. They moved their hand, and they disappeared again, vanishing.
“Holy shit,” Hunter said.
“Keep watching,” Commander Striker.
The display panned to the left. There was another person huddled behind a tree. They stood, and then they disappeared, too.
“They weren’t hallucinating after all,” Hunter said, remembering Jeren and Bella’s comments about seeing people watching them from a distance, who seemed to disappear just like these mysterious figures did.
“What do you mean? Who wasn’t hallucinating?” Aera asked.
“When I first met with Lieutenant Pellar’s team, they described how they, and others in their platoon, had reported sightings of humanoid sillhouttes. Often in the distance, clear as day, and suddenly disappearing into thin air. People dismissed their reports as hallucinations and crazy talk, but after seeing this—this is proof!” Hunter said.
“The possibility of people with such powerful stealth technology is troubling,” Commander Striker said.
“Who do we think they are? A rival corp that found out about the outpost before the exodus?” Aera asked.
“It’s too early to tell. I think at this point all we can do is keep an eye out for more signs of their presence. Hunter, you can feel them, right?” Commander Striker asked, “Something to do with your sensitivity to etherium?”
Hunter nodded.
“Do you remember feeling anything like this while you’ve been on the ship?”
The possibility of an invisible person being able to board the Merciful Cloud was going to keep him from getting a good night's sleep anytime soon. But as he thought about it, he realized he was probably the only person who could tell if one of these people was nearby. It didn’t make him feel safer, but he could take measures to prepare for the worst case scenario.
“Yeah,” he said, answering the commander. “I can. There’s a very distinct feeling to it. And I’m sure that wasn’t the first time I’ve felt it either, but not on the ship.”
“I’ll admit, this is going to be troublesome. I’ll communicate with the platoon. In the meantime, I wonder if you can—”
Hunter felt a strong etheric pulse. He stood, doing his best to focus on his aura, and the direction he’d felt the pulse coming from.
“What is it, Hunter?” Aera asked.
There was a knock at the door, and one crewman entered with a panicked look on their face.
“Sirs, there are three people standing outside of the ship’s shield. They’ve got swords.”
Hunter looked at Commander Striker.
“I can feel them, sir. They’re strong. It feels like a Class-1 beast.”
“They’re wielding swords?” the Commander asked, his voice incredulous. “How many Guardsmen do we have on board?”
“Some of Guard Captain Bell’s platoon stayed behind. They were being treated for injuries they sustained during the beast wave,” she said.
“How many of them can walk and hold a gun?”
Aera shrugged, “I’ll make a call and find out.”
“Crewman,” the commander said to the individual who’d interrupted the meeting, “any hostile signs from the strangers?”
“No, sir. They’re just standing there, watching the ship.”
“How odd. Any sign that they’re from the outpost?” Striker asked.
“No sir. They’re not wearing Oberon uniforms or the uniforms of any known organization.”
“I need to go out there,” Hunter said, thinking of an excuse to justify the risk, “I’ll be able to sense if any of our invisible friends are watching. There could be more surrounding the ship.”
The Commander sighed, but he didn’t deny the logic.
“Alright. And no, Aera, I know what you’re about to ask, and I refuse to put both of Trey Oberon’s heirs live’s at risk right now.”
“But—”
“Please don’t make it an order, ma’am. If it makes you feel better, I’ll order that the shield remains active until we can ascertain the visitors’ intention beyond any doubt. Mr. Koar will have an entire squadron of armed Guardsmen between himself and them.”
Aera relented, but she wasn’t pleased.
“Fine, but I want full radio contact.”
“Granted,” Commander Striker said. “If this is what I think it is, we’ll want those recordings for historical records.”
Adrenaline was surging through Hunter’s body at the commander’s insinuation.
This could be humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization.