Planet Heroth.
The Xion race's home planet Heroth, was a captivating world, teeming with life and surrounded by rich nature. While the Xions shared a similar physical stature to humans, standing just slightly taller on average, their striking appearance set them apart from any known species in the universe.
Their ears were short and pointed, resembling sharp triangles that added a forceful touch to their overall countenance. Their skin possessed an astonishing shade of pitch-black, which contrasted vividly with the hues of their natural surroundings. It was as if their bodies had absorbed the essence of the cosmos, granting them an otherworldly presence.
The Xions' eyes, however, were perhaps the most captivating aspect of their appearance. Their irises were a deep, mesmerizing shade of blood red, like the embers of a dying star. These eyes reflected the depth of their emotions and the wisdom gained from their eons of space travel.
The Xions' hair flowed in stark white waves and seemed to shimmer with an inner glow reminiscent of moonlight reflecting on a tranquil lake. Their hair was a symbol of their age and wisdom, for as the Xions grew older, their hair gradually turned from the darkness of the void to the brilliance of pure light.
In their exploration of the cosmos, the Xions had established a formidable society with a military-centered aristocratic social structure. At the heart of their civilization was the all-powerful King Leros VI, the ultimate authority who governed their vast empire. The King's rule was absolute, and beneath him, the Xions were ranked according to their contributions to society and their noble lineage.
The Xion society thrived on honor, valor, and an unyielding dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and power. Those who displayed exceptional prowess in battle or made significant scientific advancements were revered and elevated in rank, being granted privileges and responsibilities aligned with their achievements. Family history played a crucial role in determining one's place in the social hierarchy, as the Xions held great respect for ancestral lineage and the wisdom passed down through generations.
Within this military-centered structure, the Xions ensured the stability and security of their home planet, employing advanced technology and strategic thinking to defend against any potential threats from the vast reaches of space. Their highly disciplined military forces were the backbone of their society, and every Xion was instilled with a sense of duty and loyalty to protect their race and uphold their noble heritage.
Thus, the Xions' home planet became a realm of order and strength, with King Leros VI as its revered leader and the Xion people as its valiant protectors. It was a world where tradition, honor, and the pursuit of excellence intertwined, shaping the destiny of a remarkable species whose impact on the universe was as profound as their striking appearance.
3rd Rank Leon Bamford was the epitome of a model soldier. He had amassed great achievements for his people, rising in rank throughout his career to become only third below the King himself.
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(Leon Bamford PoV)
“Pilot, begin decent procedures.”
“Yes Sir!”
It wasn't a terribly far trip, but navigating around that magnetar is always a bit…unnerving. Black holes seemed to be considered one of the more dangerous items out in the black, but I always found the neutron star variety to be significantly more of a hindrance, always causing severe space weather.
Being assigned to planet Earth by King Leros VI for my darling daughter’s coming-of-age mission was an excellent and easy first achievement...well, it was supposed to be. However, for petty reasons, our mission was filled with problems.
Clare, even now, is in her bunk sulking over that human boy, ‘unfathomable.’ I even went out of my way to give him a chance to live with a spare AI and reconstructed his body, but apparently, that wasn't enough for my brat of a daughter.
I was glad to be home, though, soon to have my loving wife Emma in my arms again, ‘I’ll just let her deal with Clare when we get home. I'm sure it's just a phase.’
It was nighttime as our ship broke through the final cloud layer, with the Royal Capital coming into view, holographic guide lights streaking by guiding us to a landing pad.
As the landing gear deployed, our ship slowly settled onto the ground and I soon noticed a presence standing next to me.
“Daddy?”
I turn to look at my dear daughter, “Yes little starshine?”
“If he doesn't survive, I’ll hate you forever.”
*gaaahhh* clutching my chest in fear, “N..no little one! no he will be fine I..I promise! We’ll fix him up properly next time we visit in a few years, I'll bring the best doctors, I swear!”
“You better, 'cause I’m definitely telling Mommy about this. You know I wanted to keep him!”
‘Goddamnit to hell, you can't keep a sentient species as a pet you stupid girl!’
As the bay doors opened, the cargo and other goods were quickly carried out, followed by me and Clare. Walking toward the debriefing center, a soldier races in my direction with a flustered appearance. Running up to me, out of breath, he salutes.
Saluting back, I reply, “What is it, soldier.”
“Yes! Sir Bamford, Dr. Himmler urgently needs to speak to you about the device he lent you. He is requesting its return.”
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“Who?”
“Uh..um Dr. Himmler..sir?”
My mind spins to try and remember anyone by that name from seven years ago before we left. I honestly don't recall at all. We were so busy packing for the trip, and I was especially excited to have Clare join me on our first mission together..I was so proud.
“Tell Dr. Himmler that I don't particularly remember our exchange, as it was a hectic time before departure, but if you could request for him to come find me at the debriefing center, my daughter and I will be there for a few days.”
“Yes Sir!” Saluting me once more and running off.
“Come on, Daddy we are going to be late!”
“Ah yes yes. Alright, let's go.”
Approximately 200 years ago, it was written into royal law that all inbound personnel coming from extended stays on alien planets were required to go into a debriefing or a “cooling off” period, as you will, to check for harmful viruses and bacteria after a little catastrophe which killed a few thousand citizens.
Since then, there have only been added protections, further increasing security and the time required to stay at the debriefing center regardless of rank or status.
After a few hours of seeing doctors and talking to psychiatrists checking my mental health, my attention turns to hear a flurry of steps behind me.
“Sir Leon Bamford, 3rd rank Expedition Leader!”
‘Who dares yell my full name and status?’ turning around, I see a short, portly man with crazy white unkempt hair.
“Who are you?”
“I am Dr. Himmler, head of the R&D team and the one who gave YOU that experimental AI and medical reconstruction device for field testing. Well, I need them back.”
It all came flashing back now. I remember this crazy little man rattling off how his AI and nanite tech was revolutionary or something. I only let him put them on my ship in case someone got injured and didn't have to pay for a standard medical set up as they were very expensive.
But seeing how it was just earth, there was absolutely no chance of something bad happening.
“Ah yes, I remember now, you can hav…’wait a minute’
I started to sweat a little, recollecting the short conversation with a soldier of mine about that human boy.
“You said the experimental AI? Is that right?”
“Yes, that’s right. Is there a problem?
“Uhh erm well, uh..we broke it.”
“You broke it? The AI?”
“Y..yes we uh..crushed it with some cargo back on the mission planet.”
“Oh ok, well that's good…whew! Had me worried a little, I thought you were going to say you installed it into someone. At least it was destroyed, and that's the important part.”
“Oh, ok haha! Ah..er wait, what? What do you mean you wanted it to be destroyed?”
“Oh yes, that thing had a few defects. Cutting-edge AI and the most powerful Augment nanites we’ve created to date in our great history, surely, but under certain circumstances, it would become unstable and cause the user to…you know, go a little psycho, HAHAHA! Wouldn't want that, right?!” His belly jiggles from laughter.
‘FUCK.’
Quickly looking around to find my daughter in the sea of patients and travelers, I spot her talking to a young technician, ‘Whew...ok.’
Turning back to the good doctor, “Ha yeah…yeah well we still have the reconstruction unit, I will send it to your lab after everything has been processed through the debriefing center.”
“Excellent! Thank you very much. We greatly appreciate it. I'm glad you had no injuries on your team then, and we avoided disaster.”
“Why didn't you send a Quantum message about the potential danger?”
“Oh, we did! you didn't reply, so we thought there were no problems. I did see you were being stationed on Earth for observation duty, everybody knows that planet is completely safe.”
“Right, yes that makes sense, alright then I must get back to more checkups and examinations. I will speak to you another time.”
“Sure thing, have a good day!”
I continue my smile as I watch the short little man waddle away, laughing with his assistants in the distance, no doubt laughing about what a disaster it would have been if the AI had been implanted into someone. My smile slowly fades as he turns the corner, and my breath begins to feel shallow.
A lump begins to form in my throat as my world seems to close around me. I was sweating buckets at this point, deep in thought about future repercussions. I did this without authorization for Clare, never imagining that it could potentially hurt her even more in the end.
What if he goes rogue and destroys Earth? What if he dies? What will happen to my family if anyone finds out?! My heart begins to pound so loudly that it drowns out the dozens of people around me…‘shit, what have I done?’
“Daddy?”
“AHHH! Oh, It’s you. Yes my little starshine?”
“What's wrong? You seem kinda pale and shaky.”
“O..ooh no reason..you just scared me a little, that's all.”
“Um ok? So what now? This is taking forever. I want to go home!”
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Back on Earth
(Alex PoV)
Stepping back out of the vault, I slumped against the wall, my breathing turned ragged.
Every time I blinked, all I could see was those small faces and eyes staring back at me.
There were…kids…cages…an iron smell…and…chains.
‘This isn't the government or a farm. It's a den of pedofile psychos.’
My brain felt like it was on fire. In my whole life, not once did I think that I would see something this sick. It was an atrocity only found in horror movies. Only it was happening right here in my small town. My neighbors.
“I…what..do I do?” my voice cracked.
They had…done things to them.
I started to feel faint from shock, and held my head to try and stabilize myself and my thoughts. My other hand clutched my chest as I began hyperventilating.
‘Is this what they meant by…shipment?’
^Alex, your mental s7ate is causing unkn0wn errors in my back3nd plse re…tre..t.^
‘How. Dare. They.’
^Alex, my….(ore is Beco..mmign uns7abl3….p\3ase c4…lm down.^
‘Those mother fuckers.’
^WA4N1ngggggggg error.^ ^Errrooooooooor.^
‘My best friend too.’
^C6r!tic41 FAAAAILURE.^
‘........’
“THOSE MOTHER FUCKERS!!!”
(Guards POV)
“Man, I can't wait to get off work. This place is so creepy at night yo.” The guard grimaced as he took a swig of his beer and kicked his feet onto the desk.
“Ha yeah, but you get used to it after a while. The pay is too good to pass up, most shit that happens out here is the occasional bear sighting or a drunk trying to get through the front gate. I just smoke and watch the CCTV. Seems to make the night go by faster.”
“What do they even do in there, though?”
“I don't know, they told us to not ask ques…
*RUumMble*
“Oh shit, did you feel that?” The guard yells as he scrambles to his feet. The earth shook below them.
“Felt like a damn earthquake, let's call the boss just in case.”
“Alright, hold on, let me find his number…hmm”
“....”
“HEY BRO..BRO WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!”
“Oh hell”