Chapter 55
Epilogue
Sector Space - 1 week after the battle ended.
A week in transit space had not improved either of their moods, and Carter was more than looking forward to a shower when their shuttle dropped back into regular space.
“I’m seeing minimal traffic in the system,” Maxton replied from the seat behind him. “A couple of stations, a single habitable world, but it’s wreathed in dust.”
“Fuck,” Carter sighed. “What a shit hole.”
“It really is,” Maxton sighed. “Any chance we can move further into it?”
“None,” Carter tapped the controls. “We are almost out of air in this bucket.”
“Fine, just get us somewhere we can shower,” Maxton shifted grumpily.
“Sorry the accommodations weren’t to your standard,” Carter laughed. “We’ll have to plan ahead next time.”
“Better yet, let’s not let there be a next time,” Maxton grumbled.
“You do have a point,” Carter grinned into his screen. “Let’s go make some friends, shall we.” He punched in a fast course to take them to the planet and the principal city that seemed to be functioning despite the dust and smoke in the atmosphere.
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“You, make friends?” Maxton laughed. “We’ll get lynched in a week.”
“Oh, come on,” Carter flicked on the InSystem Drive, and they shot off on the preprogrammed course. “What are the chances that there is someone like that cow here, of all places?”
“Well, according to the station beacons, this place is run by someone called Prit-Mal,” Maxton sighed.
“Great!” Carter grinned. “A nice quiet little place with some old biddy in charge. The perfect place to set up shop!”
Maxton groaned and started to swear.
Outside Sector Space - The home system of the Nanite Imperium.
One month after the battle.
The planet cooled even more as the last of the volcanos stopped their eruptions, and the air slowly began to clear. As it did, a breeze seemed to wrap around the planet as every particle of soot and mineral was sucked toward the ever-growing egg on the southern continent.
Already taller than the highest of the volcanos, the smoke and ash seemed to flow into it without leaving a mark. Not a single opening showed on the surface, despite everything that vanished inside as it grew.
Right at the base, a glisten of water began to show. It grew over time, and soon, a small lake was developing around the massive form.
A small sphere appeared in the atmosphere and cautiously approached the top of the egg, where it peaked above the thinning clouds.
A sudden gust pulled it into the egg even as its thrusters fired madly to escape.
An hour later, a single crack appeared on the far side, but no one was around to see.
The crack began to spread.
The End.
Nellie and the Imperium will return in
Book Four - Consolidation