Just as they feared, Alisei exploded catastrophically - with such force that it caved in the planetoid. Thankfully, like an actual terrestrial planet, Serenity consisted of multiple layers around the antimatter engine which was essentially its core. But unlike a normal planet, these layers were more like polygonal bricks that locked into each other and ensured that each layer had some areas at the surface.

Deck A was where the wealthy and influential resided, along with the appropriate amenities and luxuries. Deck B was where general passengers were found, as well as most of the onboard attractions; such as malls, casinos and theme parks. Deck C served as the vessel's extensive storage area, which also held her volatile hydrogen fuel cells. On top of that, it had loading and unloading docks which could accommodate around ten vessels at once.

Then, there was Deck D, also called the Factory Deck. This was where most of Serenity's manufacturing and resource procurement facilities were located. These ranged from massive smelters to chip printers, as well as massive asteroid drills and glacier breakers. Seemingly excessive, and yet a ship like this needed to be able to supply itself in case of emergencies. Lastly, there were the Command Decks where the bridge, crew's quarters, as well as other important equipment and integral structures could be found. Including the Antimatter engine.

Thanks to her sophisticated artificial gravity system, she was also able to maintain and change the perceived gravity without needing centripetal force, unlike other vessels. But much of the western hemisphere was now missing, which accounted for a third of Serenity's entire structure. Then a further one-fifth of Serenity was rendered uninhabitable due to the extensive damage. Including the entirety of Deck D. These left Serenity’s remaining passengers with less than half of her original habitable zone and malfunctioning areas where gravity was either much weaker or much stronger than it should be.

But now they had much more, albeit decreasing, 'passengers' than they started with. Even if they took the animals they departed with, into account. There were also the rapidly shrinking liquid O2 stores, despite the bright green "Air Tight" and bright red "Hermetic seals in place" statuses. However, none of these paradoxical readings could compare to the desolate reality outside Serenity.

Most of their accompanying fleet was gone without any trace, which they could finally confirm. Those that arrived with them were either half a step away from falling apart or were moderately to heavily damaged. However, the frigates and destroyers took a lot less damage than the much larger Titan Carriers and other capital ships. Then there was the matter of the madness-inducing light which still kept flashing from the surface of the nearby moon.

It took a while for all of these problems to sink in, though. For them to really accept that they’d been knocked out for more than an hour, when they were first engulfed by the light. Presumably staring blankly at it. And, that the situation aboard had worsened to the point of being apocalyptic. But now, only one thing mattered; Getting their people out of this mess. Based on all the information they had, the Lord Count, now Executive Military Commander, decided that the best point of extraction was the rear east side of Deck C, which also faced away from the moon.

"You will wait at Loading Dock 7 where you will gather as many Imperial citizens as you can and await my boarding.” He was currently at the terminal he’d been given, communicating with one of the remaining automated ships which made up a majority of the Imperial Fleet - just of the many technologies that they monopolized after the Dominion’s collapse. Of course, one of his men flanked him as protection. While the remaining three stood next to their fallen comrades who they’d lined up near the door. “If I do not arrive within 5 hours after this exchange or after the Battlecruiser Generosity is fully loaded and undocked, you are to then leave for the nearest Imperial planet or embassy. Are my orders understood?"

[What of those outside the Empire, Lord Commander?]

"Warn them, and if they insist, remove them. Ensure that there is little to no collateral damage."

[Your commands are received and will be followed accordingly, Lord Commander. This Destroyer, the 'Innocence' will not betray your trust.]

It was worrisome, to be relying on another AI after everything that's happened with Serenity. But one could say he had far more trust on the more straightforward intelligence of Imperial vessels. Although they were capable of unmanned flight and even had the capacity for autonomous combat, they were hardware-designed to be completely subservient to the Imperial nobility and accepted no further orders beyond that which they were already performing. Unless said order was revoked by the one who gave it or overruled by one of sufficiently higher rank.

He could only hope that the Empire's closed system design would be enough to avoid the same fiasco with Serenity, and trust in his own judgment. The lives of many Imperial citizens were in his hands. However, he also knew that he wouldn't be able to save them all. At least 150,000 Imperials had boarded Serenity. But even though he had two Battlecruisers, 4 Heavy Cruisers, 6 destroyers and two frigates, they weren’t enough. At most he could only accommodate a fraction of that number. Since, this was also a problem of supplies.

He then used his personal comm systems to speak with other nobility in order to coordinate the effort and share information. Time was of the essence, and to maximize their success, he needed to beat the Federation and Union to the resources. The silver lining was that nearly all present nobility had extensive military service, so he could leave the on-ground planning and supply collection to them.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

“What are those things, sir?” A crewman in the other end of the room, asked with a trembling voice, his eyes rooted to the LCD screen of constantly shifting camera feeds.

“Just let Intel figure it out. Focus on the evac plan.”

The ship had been invaded, that much was something everyone now knew. But it took a while for the crewmen to form some sort of idea about what these things were. ‘Mutated’ strains that belong to the extinct Blattodea order of insects. Cockroaches as they were commonly called. These were pests deemed to have no benefit to mankind, like the Diptera. Both of which were exterminated from every Dominion planet during its heyday, long before the Collapse. It was a miracle that the information even survived in their records. But that placed the creature's anatomy into question. Since, the 1.45 million uncategorized pings that showed on their heartbeat sensors had to belong to these creatures, which meant they were big enough to be noticed by the sensors. And, presumably, there were even smaller members of the species that couldn’t be seen.

"Most of the insectoids are gathered in Deck A. But they're rapidly spreading towards Deck B and C through the Support Towers. We've also confirmed numerous passenger groups. There’s 8,300 men, women and children inside the Terrene Grand Casino of Deck A. 9,700 more in Deck B's Kyrsana Opera House. Another seventeen hundred are mobile, under the protection of Duke Jin-ho and the Stellarch's security force…” He continued, answering questions and continuing on when needed

Countless more individuals and groups were currently scattered. Bringing the confirmed survivor count to 130,000 human and vat grown heartbeats. However, many of them appear to be stuck in the Support Towers or subfloor transports and pathways, most of which were areas where there wasn’t enough power for cameras. Everywhere else, especially areas out in the open, was infested, though. When the compiling was finally done and the information was disseminated, he drew closer to the microphone, pressed the button under it and coughed.

"[Attention, all Imperial Citizens.]" His voice resounded through the PA system. "[I am the Count of Dahl and acting Executive Military Commander, I speak to inform you that several rescue ships have been prepared to board at Loading Dock 7 of Deck C. Access the Imperial Information Directory channels for the planning data and group up with our noblemen. They are our spearheads for this evacuation. Do not come into contact with any outside light as they have adverse effects, but most importantly, move safely and leave no Imperial soul behind. May the Emperor guide us.]"

With everything finally said and done, he glanced at the bridge crew and then the Captain who were still busy planning at the opposite side of the room. The sense that they were competing, not working together, was all too palpable. And so, he only gave them a nod before turning to his men. “We’re regrouping with the Major. As far as we can, we will carry our fallen with us, and any survivors we come across. Understood?”

“Yes, Lord Count.”

It was then that a voice reached the Count’s ears, a voice that was exactly like his own. Through a private channel.

"[Most would tell you that they’re likely to get massacred trying to get there. But I know you've planned for it. However, can you really execute your plans properly, after knowing that?]" The Count didn’t need to ask what he meant. He had shared as much applicable data as he could to his most trusted people. But they were words that even the Count had difficulty accepting.

[Guila Cassiana Dahl and Ariel Kireia Dahl are in our custody. Awaiting further orders.]

He had also confirmed their location through their heat signatures. He couldn’t contact Guila directly for some reason, but they were alive. All this time, they were alive. Yet where was he? What was he doing, instead? “Of course, I can!” He answered with an almost calm anger as he led his men out the bridge, with such conviction that it seemed impossible for him to fail. “All I need to do is find them! Then we'll all leave this forsaken ship with them in my arms!”

“[But you gave up so quickly, brother. Can you really muster up the strength you did not show until now?]” The fact that he had prioritized others, even if they were his citizens, and her weapons, instead of confirming their safety had made that truth all too clear. Yet, the truth only roused more anger from him as they passed another airlock.

“You dare mock me?!” The Count roared as they exited onto a dark hallway. It was Deck B. “You're correct! Despite all that they've proven to me, I lost faith in their strength. But they are still mine, and I will fulfill my dues!”

It was then the Count heard a tongue click, he could imagine a passing look of disdain form on his older brother’s face, then roaring followed. “[Alright, enough, brother! I don't need to be a strategist to know that you don't have nearly enough trustworthy men at your disposal to mount a rescue. So, leave it to me instead. The others have already arrived and we've all equipped the suits. We’re also well into the process of transferring the gear to the loading docks.]”

"You ask for impossibility, Hiiro." The Count's glare grew colder as he spoke. “Your job is to ensure that our citizens have a place to arrive at. 17 people, even suited, aren’t nearly enough to ensure a safe route. 16, even less so. You are to stay there until there is a sufficient defensive force, or the Duke and his retinue arrives to supplement our forces.”

“[How long would that take, brother? Waiting longer means more people will arrive and the harder it will be to protect everyone. But, if I went alone, right now, I could extract them and return within an hour. Two at most, and you’ll arrive here to be greeted by them with a smile.]”

The Count paused upon hearing that, his gaze rooted at the darkness that awaited him beyond the corner. The chittering had already given their enemies away, but that was not the reason he stopped. “I… no. Think realistically Hiiro, how could you possibly-” It was then that Hiiro was reminded of his younger brother's humanity and felt the need to reassure him, as rare as that was.

"[Raving despite a clear head is unlike you, brother.]” He spoke reassuringly, before grunting and the sound of distant plasma fire cut him off. “[You only need to trust me and the others to fulfill your orders, just as we always have.]”

“Major-!”

“[Little brother! You yourself said that Jing and Su Ce only died after seeing that light. However, no man or insect can defeat us, Lord Commander. The Bull tramples all in its way and guards all who stand behind it! So trust us to deliver!]” A strained silence permeated between them once again, while the sounds of frantic skittering rapidly approached from up ahead.

“I rescind my previous command and replace it with another. Take only two men with you, at most. Return my wives to me and evacuate immediately. All of you. Failure will not be tolerated.”

“[Heh. This Hiiro Dahl will not disappoint you, Lord Count.]”