The crew of the Proxima is immersed in the complexities of their intergalactic journey, with their newly installed jump drive, they’ve managed to return to the anomaly location in record time. To save resources, they use the jump drive strategically, understanding that its use for short distances can be inefficient. Upon arrival, they spot a number of other ships from the mysterious Type 4 organization, which seems to have dispatched a fleet to investigate the crew’s previous anomaly report. With the organization’s ships largely ignoring them due to prior clearance, the crew can proceed without much interference.
After thoroughly examining the anomaly themselves, they come to the disappointing conclusion that there’s no substantial new information to gain from it. With little left to discover here, the crew decides to widen their exploration, beginning with a jump into nearby space, hoping for any significant findings. They explore the area for an entire week, only to be met with empty, silent space. With no other leads, they chart their first major jump toward the Lybrinote galaxy, planning to gather information at Station ZA-01, positioned just outside the galaxy’s boundary.
The journey to ZA-01 involves multiple jumps, with each jump requiring a week of recharging for the drive. After about a month, the Proxima finally reaches Station ZA-01, and for many in the crew, this vast station is a spectacle unlike anything they’ve ever imagined, the sheer magnitude of the structure came into view, its gargantuan form stretching across the emptiness like a behemoth anchored in space. The crew had heard stories from travelers and workers back at ZZ-98, but seeing the station firsthand was an entirely different experience. It wasn’t just massive—it was breathtakingly complex, layered with intricacies beyond anything the crew had ever encountered. Even the most advanced orbital stations from their own civilization back home seemed like simple constructs in comparison. Station ZA-01’s architecture radiated a purpose and sophistication they couldn’t begin to fathom, as if every square meter had been crafted with utmost precision.
The docking bay, where the Proxima was directed, was a vast expanse of steel, illuminated by bright beams of light from colossal overhead sources that cast a strange, cold hue across the entire area. Thousands of ships of varying sizes and designs were parked in a sprawling grid-like formation. As they slowly guided the Proxima into position, mechanical arms extended from the docking platforms, grabbing hold and securing the ship with practiced efficiency. They weren’t the only ones arriving; ships were constantly entering and leaving in an organized, endless flow. Some vessels looked sleek and cutting-edge, their exteriors smooth and metallic, while others were weathered and patched, showing signs of having traveled long and hard across the stars.
Once the Proxima was docked, the crew watched in awe as a series of monitors within the docking area flickered on, displaying instructions in various alien scripts, some of which included simplified icons to guide newcomers. The crew was instructed to remain within the ship initially as scans were conducted, ensuring that each vessel entering ZA-01 met strict security protocols. These safety checks were thorough, requiring multiple passes of automated systems that analyzed every inch of the Proxima, from its cargo hold to its engine room. Ryan and his team waited tensely, uncertain if the protocols here were as intense as those they’d experienced at ZZ-98.
After nearly an hour, the final scan was completed, and they received clearance to disembark. They were directed toward a secondary docking area where they could find accommodations, stores, and supply vendors. The crew was eager to see what the station offered, and Ryan and Dom led the way. Exiting the Proxima, they passed through a series of long metallic corridors, each stretching out before them with high ceilings and reinforced steel walls. The corridors bustled with life—beings of all shapes, sizes, and species moving in every direction, some walking in groups, others gliding along on hover transports.
Station ZA-01 was its own ecosystem. The first open area they entered was the commerce sector, a sprawling marketplace that seemed to extend for miles. Vendors of all kinds hawked their wares, which ranged from exotic foods and spices to high-tech weaponry and strange artifacts. The air was thick, and they could even feel it from inside their suits. The crew noticed creatures behind vendor booths who appeared vastly different from anything he’d encountered before: some with elongated limbs and luminous skin, others with eyes set on stalks that scanned the area continuously.
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There was a particular buzz around the exchange areas, where individuals haggled over the station’s currency. The materials used for currency were carefully examined in elaborate weighing and inspection machines, each coin’s legitimacy tested to prevent counterfeiting. Ryan had heard that Veytian, the rarest currency, was primarily used for the highest transactions, reserved for the ultra-wealthy and powerful or significant trade agreements. For most common exchanges, Selenite and Cerion sufficed and if anything costlier Korium is used. Watching the transactions, they noted how each trade was an exchange of resources and a display of wealth, with some aliens boasting rare metals as a symbol of status.
As they wandered deeper into the station, they noticed several buildings labeled as 'Guild Halls' or 'Consortium Offices,' having already learned the major language of the system. These structures had alien symbols etched above their entrances, glowing faintly. Rumors back at ZZ-98 had hinted that Station ZA-01 was more than just a trading hub—it was also a seat of governance for parts of the organization’s vast empire. Some halls appeared to be administrative centers for local governance, where individuals could apply for permits, licenses, or work contracts under the organization’s watchful eye. Ryan observed that these buildings had strict security, with guards stationed outside, each wearing high-tech armor and wielding formidable-looking weapons. They passed by quietly, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention.
Another notable feature of ZA-01 was its environmental zoning. The station, vast as it was, had entire sections dedicated to simulating planetary biomes. In one area, they encountered a tropical environment, complete with thick vegetation, artificial sunlight, and controlled humidity levels. Alien species accustomed to such climates gathered here, conducting meetings or simply resting amidst familiar surroundings. Ryan learned from one of the locals that these “biome sectors” served a dual purpose: providing comfort zones for species from different planets and acting as meeting places where business and diplomacy flourished.
As they continued exploring, the crew decided to head toward the station’s “Information Nexus.” This enormous hall was packed with consoles, screens, and holographic projections that displayed data feeds from across the galaxy. Here, visitors could learn about trade routes, transportation schedules, and technological developments within the organization’s territory. They skimmed through the vast database, seeking anything that could shed light on their location in relation to familiar star systems. Yet, despite their best efforts, they found no clues that pointed back to their galaxy. Their sense of isolation grew, but they were determined to uncover whatever they could.
After gathering supplies and mapping out possible routes into the Lybrinote galaxy, the crew began to devise their long-term plans. While the ZA-01 station offered a wealth of information, they still hadn’t encountered a direct line of communication to the organization’s higher authorities or anyone who could provide a definitive answer about the “Type 4” name they’d heard so often. The more they asked around, the more they heard whispers about an enigmatic queen, an elusive figure believed to control this vast network of systems like a hive, overseeing both military and commercial operations. Rumors about her abilities varied wildly; some said she had enhanced mental faculties capable of monitoring activity across multiple galaxies, while others believed she was a mere figurehead. Regardless of her true nature, it was clear that her rule extended far and wide.
After nearly two months of gathering intel, exchanging currency, and exploring the major parts of ZA-01, the Proxima crew had acclimated to life on the station but felt the pull of their original mission more than ever. With their jump drive charged and a fresh batch of supplies, they prepared to set their sights on entering the Lybrinote galaxy. Ryan spent his final night on ZA-01 in contemplation, peering out at the stars from a viewing platform. In the vastness of space, their galaxy felt like a distant memory, and he wondered if they’d ever see it again.
As they gathered back at the docking bay, the crew was a mix of excitement and trepidation, knowing that their next journey would plunge them even deeper into unknown territories. The stars beyond ZA-01 represented not only the possibility of discovery but also the danger of getting further entangled in the mysteries surrounding Type 4’s galactic empire. Nonetheless, they knew that understanding this organization, its hierarchy, and the true reach of the enigmatic queen might be the only way to find their way back home. With the jump drive ready, they made their final checks, taking a moment to reflect on everything they’d learned and all the strange beings they’d encountered on ZA-01. As the Proxima finally launched, leaving the massive station behind, they felt both a sense of accomplishment and the vast weight of the unknown lying ahead.