CHAPTER 44: CHARR
Dyson Sphere Inner Chambers
Epsilon Eridini
"Look at this place!" Daniels exclaimed as he stepped into the vast chamber, his voice echoing against the high, arched ceilings. The Marine Sergeant swiftly directed his squad to form a secure perimeter around the expansive room, ensuring that Commander Carr and her pilots were shielded from any potential threats lurking in the shadows.
"'Mam, those resemble our corvette pods," Lieutenant Junior Grade Romeo "Dash" Ryder remarked, his eyes wide with wonder as he surveyed the rows of sleek flight pods that lined the walls. The pods stretched from one end of the chamber to the other, rising three stories high, while dozens more hovered in the center, their sleek designs gleaming under the soft, ambient lights.
Charr's attention was drawn to the central chamber, which stood apart from the rest, complete with a larger, more sophisticated screen and an array of control panels. As she stepped into the pod, it sprang to life, illuminating her with a cascade of readouts that displayed the status of dozens, if not hundreds, of remote-capable sub-capital ships. The screen showcased an impressive array of vessels, ranging from nimble corvettes to imposing battleships. "It looks like we have the ability to command a small armada from these pods; somehow, sub-cap ships can be flown remotely," she marveled, her voice tinged with excitement.
"Yes, 'mam," Ensign Quinn "Mercury" Castillon replied, her eyes sparkling with amazement as she hopped into her pod. Inside, she found everything she needed at her fingertips; every inch of the pod was a display of some sort, equipped with a touchpad panel and full analog flight controls that would allow her to take command of individual ships with ease. "'Mam, it's saying, 'Pod 3 awaiting squadron assignment.'"
"Yeah, I'm assigning ships right now. You all are going to command ten sub-cap ships each," she told her flight group with authority while whispering to herself, "While I'm going to take this big bitch for a spin!"
"'Mam," Lieutenant Juan "Dipshit" Ortega called out, his voice laced with curiosity. "What do you think we're going to be doing with our new toys?"
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"I don't really know; hopefully killing some aliens," Carr muttered under her breath, just loud enough for her own ears to hear.
"Way to live up to your name, Dipshit!" one of her pilots shouted, laughter bubbling up among the group like a welcome tide. Carr chose not to rebuke the comment; she understood the underlying question her Lieutenant was asking, even if he hadn’t articulated it clearly. They were in a colossal station, situated in the depths of uncharted space, with light-years separating them from the fleet that was ravaging her homeworld. What could they possibly do out here to make a difference? Still, she had to trust her captain; somehow, he knew what they needed to do—he always did.
John
Dyson Sphere
Epsilon Eridini
The Marines had thoroughly cleared the chamber before anyone dared to walk in, but Major Thomson remained visibly uneasy. He protested the safety of the room, despite John’s insistence that it was secure. Inside, a few odd chambers or pods were stationed about, with one dominating the center. A pair of command stations flanked the main pod, but what truly unnerved the Major was the presence of a few dozen Legion humanoid robots standing silently, their metallic forms imposing and seemingly vigilant. "Sir, I don't like this. Those Legion fucks outnumber us three to one; I don't think we can handle them. Plus, we have no idea what those humanoid robots are capable of," he said, his voice low and tinged with concern.
"I'll take that under advisement, Major. I don't believe they will be a problem. After all, they did bring us here," John replied, his tone calm yet firm.
"No, sir, you brought us here," the Major countered, a hint of frustration creeping into his words.
John could sense that the towering, eight-foot robots were making Major Thomson increasingly nervous. "They are the ones who sought me out and granted me the ability to bring us here. I can't fully explain it, but I trust them," he asserted, hoping to quell the Major’s unease. Thomson merely nodded, his expression uncertain, aware that whatever confidence John possessed did not alleviate his own apprehension.
As they ventured further into the chamber, lights flickered on all around them, illuminating the walls, ceiling panels, and floor with a warm glow. The consoles activated, displaying a treasure trove of data that promised to unlock mysteries yet to be discovered. The atmosphere was thick with potential, each illuminated surface buzzing with the promise of knowledge and power.