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After having been ordered to the edge of the system to wait for a Terran fleet, that, to his knowledge, wasn't supposed to arrive for another year, according to one Admiral Miles. Ethuci continued to sit on his bridge, fighting the foul mood looming over him.

He had no idea why he was sent out this far as no pirate crew or smuggler ever had a base out this far, nor would any try. And the fact the Terran civilians could most likely defend themselves was not lost on him. Unfortunately, when Chrarada gives you an order, you follow it. Doubly so when she's your potential mate.

"Captain, Talon Commander Hezexhel is requesting permission for level one ready stations." His com officer noted.

Shifting his gaze to the ceiling in frustration, Ethuci turned to the com officer. "For what reason?"

"He's saying he wants to be the first to attempt boarding if they prove hostile. Sir."

Reaching up and tugging on both horns in a vain attempt to calm himself. Ethuci let out a long breath. "If who is hostile? The Terran civilians?" He asked. "Approve his request. Note that it won't be necessary though, I just need him off my tail."

"Understood, sir, I'll relay your orders." Coms reported.

Ethuci let go of his horns and looked towards the main display. Hezexhel had been itching to get payback since his failed mission. He hadn't stop pestering Ethuci or Khasta for more training or more equipment research to combat the Terrans advance. And this sentiment spread itself throughout the fleet.

"Relay to the fleet. I don't want any power to weapons. They are civilians, not military vessels." He ordered, keeping a close eye on his force as they responded in kind. Some even powering down their weapons. "I hope this goes well." He breathed out.

Unfortunately, getting back to his regular schedule seemed impossible at the moment. It was quick, only a second of taking his eyes off the display to check on the crew status, and he was interrupted by a bridge notification of an unknown ship approaching.

"Incoming ship detected. Correction, four ships... One hundred thirty... Three hundred eighty-two ships are approaching Commander." His ops officer reported.

Ethuci sucked in a deep breath to calm himself. "Well, I don't think they have to worry about pirates with that many ships." He noted, exhaling his breath. "Open a com to the lead vessel the moment it's in range." He finished, deciding to wait and see what the Terrans had in store for him.

The display switched screens, prompting Ethuci to stand on the bridge and eye up the very large and square Terran on his main display. "Greeting Terran. I am Force commander Ethuci, and I will be your escort to our inner system."

"Names Finley MacDonald." The Terran began. "I am the Commander of the Terran civilian fleet. I'll be in charge of our ongoing relief efforts and rescue missions as needed. If you would be so kind as to turn your ships around and start heading back towards your planet, my fleet will meet with yours as we enter the system."

Ethuci stared at this MacDonald and tried not to scratch his horn. "I cannot do that, Commander. My orders were to meet you at the edge of our system and escort you inwards. Deviation from this plan may result in unwanted consequences."

"Well, then you're wasting my time and the time of your people. My job is to save as many lives as possible, and I intend to do so, even if that means dropping right on top of your planet, pissing everyone off while doing so." Finley replied, turning to speak to a crewmate out of speaker range.

"That would run counter operative to your mission, would it not?" Ethuci asked curiously, trying to figure out this new type of Terran.

"Not one bit. You military types will yell and scream all you want about doing things by the book and your way. I'll do things my way. Civilians won't give a flying whatever curse your people use as long as they have a roof over their head, a warm room, and a meal to fill their bellies. That's what I intend to provide. Regardless of what your people or mine have to say about it."

Intrigued by this Finley MacDonald's hostile attitude, Ethuci sought to push the Terran a bit, perhaps to see what a Terran is truly capable of. "I see, and what would you do if my people decide to declare war on your's for such an action. Would you be willing to risk the lives of your people to help mine?"

"We can just pack up and leave if it comes to that. Though, by the time that decision is made, my people would have already made landfall and be helping yours. I doubt your people would agree with a war." Finley said smugly, much to Ethucis wonder.

"So you intend to conquer us not through military exercise but through charming our civilians? I think you underestimate my people." Ethuci answered, seeing what might have been frustration building on this Terran.

"No, you dolt, my job is to help. Help by keeping people alive, warm, and fed. What you do with your people after that is up to you. Teach them, turn them into soldiers to fight Terrans, shit, you can turn them into food for all I care... Well, not really, that last one that would make this mission pointless."

"Well, you can do that by meeting with my force and allowing me to escort you into the system." Ethuci replied with a swish of his tail.

Finley wanted to reach through the screen and strangle the stupid snake-lizard as the conversation wore on. "You're going to waste days. Just so you can escort me into the system?"

Thinking for a moment about how to get through to the Commander, Finley came up with a dastardly plan that could solve this issue. "I wish I had a moustache to twirl at times like this..." He thought. " Okay, Command Ethuci. We'll do things your way. We'll meet up with your force in a bit. Don't complain to me about what happens."

Ethuci watched as Finely cut the com. "And that's how you deal with a Terran." He happily commented. "Inform me when the fleet arrives. I'll be in my office filing the report." Ethuci said smugly as he left the bridge.

Looking up at the time as he was finishing up reporting his encounter with Finley. Ethuci noticed it should be about time for the loud Terran to arrive.

"Well, better make my way to the brid~." Ethuci stumbled as his ship rocked slightly, causing him to lean on a wall to try and regain his balance. Running to the closest com, he slammed the panel in frustration. "Bridge report!"

"Unknown, sir. The Terrans arrived and started passing us. Some of them slowed down and locked onto our ships with some sort of magnetic beam. We're currently being dragged towards Aaster at high speed."

Ethuci grabbed onto his horns and pulled in frustration. "Well, at least we're still following mission parameters."

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"We have arrived at the system partner."

Michael got up and started walking towards the bridge. "Awesome, Jack! what are we looking at?"

"Lots of energy and debris."

"What do you mean? How did the star charts differ from what we're seeing?" Michael asked, Jumping into his crash couch and bringing up a display of the system.

"The only thing I can think of is magnetic interference along with the energy we are seeing. It seems to have prevented a proper scan. I am otherwise unsure at the moment."

"How's the system looking?" Srettia asked as she stepped into the cockpit and sat down.

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"Bad. We're still trying to figure out what's going on, but it's full of energy, and we're not sure what else."

"Initial scans aren't promising. I see the same sort of energy signals as in the Aaster system, along with similar magnetics. I would hypothesize both large debris fields were former planetoids."

"So what? Some ass hole just decided to blow up some planets for fun? If there was some war between two races, wouldn't there be ship debris as well?" Michael asked as he ran more scans.

"The metals were left alone as well, so they weren't just trying to get at some easy ore." Srettia added.

Michael sighed. "So we have two destroyed planets that still have their metals intact. No enemy ships, only their energy signals from who knows how long ago. With more of this magnetic garbage screwing up communication. Anything I miss, Jack?"

"I have found what looks like an escape pod of some sort."

Srettias miner instincts took hold, and she gunned the engines towards the mark on the stellar map. "Let's find out who's responsible for all this, shall we?"

"Is it safe to approach Jack?" Michael quickly asked.

"I see no reason for concern. The pod is approximately one hundred seventy years of age and shows no signs of activity."

Sighing, Michael got back up and started walking towards the armoury. "It's a bad idea, but we can't study the thing with all the interference. Bring the pod into the cargo bay when you're close enough. I'll get our equipment ready. Make sure you get your mesh on before you join me, Srettia."

It didn't take long for Srettia to manoeuvre through the field to where Jack had marked the pod. Getting up, she then walked to her room to get her mesh on and moved to Join Michael in the armoury. Upon arriving, she found Michael already in his armour, and she frowned for a moment at the missed opportunity. "Jack is worried that this is a terrible idea."

"It is." Michael said with a laugh. "That's why we're armouring up and depressurizing the bay before we enter. If anything is in that pod, it'll die from exposure."

"But what if it's friendly?" Srettia asked, stepping into her armour cradle.

"The pod is very old. There is a high chance the being inside is dead, and I do not detect any life signs. Also, by the time you reach the cargo bay, the pod will be aboard."

Michael watched as Srettia stepped out of her armour cradle and activated his helmet as she did her own. "Time to go investigate."

Srettia grabbed her rifle and followed Michael closely down to the cargo bay where the pod was. A mix of anger and fear filled her steps as she came closer to the door, trying her best to keep up with Michal's longs steps. "What if we activate some sort of beacon and they return, she whispered to Michael as he keyed the door."

"Then we talk to them, and if they want to fight. We'll kill them until they want to talk. Remember, talk gently. Carry a big stick."

"The true Terran way."

Approaching the pod, Michael noticed it wasn't very safe looking and kicked the side in horror. "Hey Jack, this thing seems damaged to you?"

"No damage detected. It seems the interior of the ship was in a complete vacuum. It is designed to be as such."

Surveying the outside of the pod proved more difficult than expected. It took the three of them working together close to an hour to find the hatch that allowed access to the interior, though, unfortunately, it was well sealed. "Well, do we use the Plas torch? Or can you open it up?" Michael asked, stepping aside.

"I cannot connect to the pod's systems. It has no access ports or way to communicate I can detect."

"Good!" Srettia nearly shouted, slamming the torch onto the hatch as if she was slaying a mortal enemy.

Michael stepped back and watched as she took her anger out on the pod, sawing deeply into the locks until the hatch came undone and it swung inward.

Michael put a hand on Srettia shoulder as she shut the torch off and stepped ahead of her. "let me go in first. If anything happens, eject the pod and return to the fleet."

"Well, that's not happening, you idiot. Just don't die, alright. If you do, I'll find a way to revive you, just so I can kill you again." Srettia said, gently pushing him forward into the pod.

Michael slowly walked into the pod, surveying everything he could as he took his first steps in. Shaking his head, he exchanged his rifle for a pistol and looked around at the technology in shock. "Jack, everything is analogue, push buttons and levers everywhere."

"I see them, partner. The question is if they were required or they didn't have touch technology. But it would answer why I couldn't access some of their systems. We are not compatible."

Making his way to the front of the pod didn't seem to reveal anything either. "Just more switches and levers. Maybe it was ejected empty?"

"This pod was built in a way to overlook vacuum. The occupants would have to be encased in enviro suits to survive in a system like this. It could explain the switches. But one would expect touchpads on suit fingers to be available at warp level technology."

Finally, entering the front of the pod. Michael sat on the odd-looking stool. "Well, they aren't bipeds, that's for sure. Quadruped or maybe a blob?"

"A blob would explain the Analogue controls. But I would expect a vacuum to tear them apart."

Srettia walked into the room with a large box of tools and sat down on the stool. "They might have needed to stay in a suit most of the time if they were blobs. That would make vacuum a none issue for them and explain this system."

Michael looked over at Srettia and shook his head. "Well, now that you're here, let's see if this bucket can do anything."

Srettia grabbed her toolbox and smiled. "I'll make sure this bucket tells me its secrets."

After many hours of frustration and curse words, the team finally got some of the power to work, though Sretta knew it was a poorly done job. "Well, that was a garbage system. It's like it was designed to suck the light from the area and turn it into energy. If I didn't have this battery, we'd be out of luck." Srettia complained, putting her tools away.

Sitting in what Michael designated the control room. Srettia started flipping switches in the hopes something would happen. "Anything Jack? It feels like I'm just turning the wipers on and off."

"Detecting minor energy build-ups but nothing otherwise."

Srettia moved back to the cockpit and sat down on the stool beside Michael, and looked over the controls. "Anything yet?"

Michael flipped some switches waited a few seconds before switching it back off again. "Nope, I've already tried these ones." he answered, pointing to a large control panel. "I just can't seem to find anything that works."

"Small energy build-up detected. This is rather dangerous. I suggest we take this pod back to Leda Command."

" Yeah, you're probably right, Jack." Srettia replied. She then looked at the remaining switches and decided to try the ones closest to the display on her side one last time. "Nothing... Maybe this thing needs more power?" She said.

"Yeah, let's call it. It's just too old." Michael replied, shifting another switch and sulking as nothing happened.

"Detecting energy buildup on the front monitor."

Srettia and Michael both stopped what they were doing and watched as the screen suddenly came to life. What was displayed astounded all three viewers. It was a battle of Ugly looking ships that reminded Michael of pill bugs, with a flat oval bottom and domed tops.

The domes fired all manner of weapons at... Shapes of light? As the battle wore on, the three watched as the outnumbered lightships fought. The shapes continued to fire off energy weapons that sheared the ugly ships in half, and the three watched in shock as they broke apart and new ships of light emerged from the wreck.

This happened over and over. Each time a bug ship was destroyed, a new lightship was created and rushed over to join the dwindling armada. In the end, the lightships were forced to retreat and the video ended.

"I think we need to return to Admiral Miles immediately," Michael stated, turning all his switches off.

Srettia smashed the console, nearly screaming in anger. "These things are why my people suffer!" standing up in outrage, she walked out of the pod.

Michael sighed. "What do you make of it, Jack? That was a pretty intense battle, and those self-replicating ships are pretty terrifying even if there was so little." He asked, going about making sure all the switches were off and the battery was removed.

"The oval ships were at a disadvantage. Weaker weapons, shields, and armour. They were slow and no threat to current Terran ships from what I observed. The only advantage the oval ships had over the lightships was the sheer quantity of them. Both should be treated as enemies if confronted, however. The ships of light, though I do not know what they are using as weapons, judging from the damage and surrounding readings. They also pose no threat to Terran shield systems."

"I thought the same. But I don't know how the bug ships were even moving. I didn't see any engines on them." Stepping out of the pod, Michael moved towards the armoury.

"We will have to leave that up to the fleet for now."

Srettia was furious but trying her best not to damage her ship as she removed her armour. Two other races had fought a war in her system, killing over eighteen billion people and leaving the remnants to die and suffer slowly.

She sat on a bench, trying to control her anger and frustration. She reflected on daily reports no one watched anymore on the amount of cold death or death from exposure trying to fix dome malfunctions. All because two races are trying to destroy each other.

Michael eventually joined Srettia in the armoury. He noticed her watching as he stepped into the cradle and waited until he was ejected. So he walked over to sit down beside her.

He inhaled a deep breath and Looked over to Srettia. Michael noticed her hood was expanded, and he could feel the anger radiating off her. "It's okay to be angry, you know. Those two, the ones responsible. We'll hunt them down. And we'll make them pay."

Srettia got up angrily and opened her mouth. She looked down at the Terran, who changed everything for her and her people, And her Anger washed away from her eyes as she took a moment to consider what he said and the calm look on his face. Frustrated, she sat down in his lap and pushed her face into his chest.

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