The digital chamber shimmered like the interior of a living ocean, bioluminescent currents pulsing softly as the aquatic overseers convened. The four platforms rose as before, Overseer Aegirarch sitting higher than the others, his form sleek and majestic.
His scales shimmered with iridescent tones that refracted across the room, while the ridges along his sinuous body pulsed softly with flowing energy. His mandibles remained tightly set, and his opalescent eyes observed everything from beneath his shell-like lids, both unyielding and indifferent. His commanding presence filling the space. Below him, the three admirals occupied their respective positions, their sleek, scaled forms tense but composed.
Standing at the centre of the chamber was clone AC-7232, his holographic projection sharp and pristine, recounting the grim details of the recent attack. He gestured as he spoke, “Overseer Aegirarch, Esteemed Admirals and Commander,” AC-7232 began, his voice flat, a programmed calm belying the severity of his words.
“The attack on the lunar forward base resulted in catastrophic losses. Enemy forces initiated a calculated assault with successive waves of what we have identified as biological combat units."
"Suicide units, assault, heavy, and snipers variants. Their primary targets were our barracks, supply depots, and hangars. Defensive measures were overwhelmed within standard operational intervals.”
As he spoke, holographic visuals materialized in the chamber. Scenes of devastation projected in translucent bubbles—a suicide drone detonating against the barracks, clones melting under acidic gel, and turrets destroyed under overwhelming pressure. AC-7232 continued.
“Seventy-eight percent of deployed infantry units were lost. Equipment losses include twenty three drones, fifteen armoured vehicles, sixteen defensive turrets, and the complete annihilation of one barrack and two supply depots.”
“During the attack, the etheric nullifiers were still powered up. Their generators remained untouched, a fact the enemy appeared unaware of or chose not to exploit. As a result, etheric interference in the sector remains firm.”
“Maintaining operational integrity of the nullifiers will be essential. Any compromise could allow significant attacks on clone forces.” He folded his hands behind his back. “I recommend an immediate reinforcement of generator security.”
The silence that followed was thick. Data bubbles flickered overhead, reflecting on the admirals’ faces—cool, logical, and calculating. The first to speak was Admiral Typhar, seated to the left. His mottled green-and-blue scales gleamed under the ambient light, his tendrils twitching as he processed the report.
“This sector’s failure lies in Commanders Nymala’s misallocation of resources,” Admiral Typhar began, his voice cold and precise. “Your decision to stretch clone forces thin across auxiliary excavation zones left the base vulnerable. Diverting soldiers from critical defences for mining priorities was a miscalculation. Nullite extraction is meaningless without security.”
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Commander Nymala’s scaled features remained impassive, her violet-hued fins flicking faintly in the current. “A miscalculation you share, Admiral Typhar,” she replied, her tone smooth but unyielding. “Your refusal to prioritize defensive fleet assets enabled this attack to escalate. I followed established protocols to accelerate Nullite extraction as per our orders—orders that you endorsed. If you had allocated even a fraction of your fleet, this incursion would have been crushed.”
Admiral Typhar’s tendrils curled faintly, but his tone stayed steady. “Fleet resources cannot be wasted chasing minor disturbances. My responsibility is efficiency. Every ship diverted to defence is a ship not mining or scouting for new Nullite veins. Production remains paramount.”
“Paramount?” Admiral Veraliss interjected, his teal-and-silver form looming with quiet authority. “The losses speak otherwise, Admiral Typhar. The loss of clones and equipment could have minimized had your ships already in orbit acted sooner. Nullite extraction rates have already diminished—due to your obsession with unchecked expansion.”
Admiral Typhar turned his gaze toward Admiral Veraliss, ridges faintly glowing with restrained irritation. “Expanding mining operations ensures long-term gains. Short-term losses are regrettable but tolerable within proper projections. I will not sacrifice the growth of this system overexaggerated threats.”
Commander Nymala’s mandibles twitched. “Short-term losses, Admiral Typhar? Do you consider the destruction of a primary garrison and the disruption of logistics minor? You gambled security to push your mining teams deeper into asteroid fields. The result is not efficiency—it’s a halt in Nullite extraction. If you cannot secure this sector, your command is untenable.”
Admiral Veraliss inclined his head in agreement. “Commander Nymala is correct. Diverting forces back to the defence grid would stabilize the sector while restoring operations. My fleets are prepared to assume control, reinforcing critical zones without compromising productivity.”
Admiral Typhar’s fins flicked sharply, though his voice remained impassive. “Redistributing command is inefficient. Transition alone would cost days, perhaps weeks, of production time. My forces are already recalibrating defences and fortifying critical positions. Your intervention is unnecessary.”
“And yet, your ‘fortifications’ failed,”Commander Nymala shot back. “Continued mismanagement will bleed this system dry. You are incapable of addressing the problem while clinging to outdated priorities.”
Before Admiral Typhar could respond, Admiral Veraliss spoke, his tone calm but edged with steel. “We are beyond assigning blame. What matters now is control. I will eliminate the hostile forces while ensuring no further disruption to mining operations. This sector cannot afford indecision.”
The chamber dimmed as Overseer Aegirarch’s towering form shifted forward, silencing all three admirals with the sheer weight of his presence. His voice, resonant and deep, flowed through the water like an undeniable current.
“You debate as though Nullite extraction and sector security are separate pursuits,” Aegirarch intoned. “They are not. Without stability, mining ceases. Without mining, stability has no purpose. Your only objective is to balance both.”
He turned his opalescent gaze toward each of them in turn, his fins twitching in warning. “This sector will not change hands. Admiral Typhar retains command for the next two standard galactic weeks. Commander Nymala and Admiral Veraliss, you will contribute fleet and ground assests to eliminate the hostile forces—while ensuring Nullite operations resume at expected quotas.”
The chamber’s currents pulsed as Aegirarch delivered his final decree. “If you fail, all three of you will be reassigned to deep void patrol craft. There will be no further discussions.”
The silence that followed was absolute. Typhar inclined his head reluctantly. “Understood, Overseer.”
Commander Nymala and Admiral Veraliss mirrored the gesture, their tendrils shifting in silent acquiescence.
“Dismissed,” Aegirarch commanded, his form dissolving back into the flowing digital currents.
As Admiral Typhar’s platform began its descent, his parting words carried softly through the chamber. “This operation will be restored. You will have no grounds to question my command again.”
Commander Nymala’s fins flared as she turned away. “See to it, Typhar. Or you’ll find yourself far removed from Nullite veins.”
Admiral Veraliss said nothing, his silver gaze narrowing as he watched the other two, already calculating his next move.