June 10, 7624
Vadrion
I wake to the beeping of my alarm, sitting up in bed feeling extremely groggy from the events last night. I swing my legs out of bed to see the time is 0947 hours. I need to get ready quickly getting something quick to eat along the way. We should be at Vadrion, my team is the escort squad for the artifact.
I head to my shower to decontaminate myself and suit up. I need to be completely geared for this in the case of intel leaks or the like. But I think it's ironic considering how I'm the security but pose the biggest threat.
If they indeed use the artifact as a weapon I will destroy it no matter what. Hopefully, they don’t even know what it truly does, the only thing we should know so far is that the energy it contains could destroy this galaxy. I hope that's not what its true purpose is.
I finish with my shower and head to my gear locker to retrieve my gear. Opening up my locker I find that my old combat skin is missing and is replaced with a new one. I look to the door of the locker and find a note.
‘For a mission well done, you and the members of your team will receive the new Monolith I gear. Your set of four is the only ones in existence, take care of them. PS: H-1793 your set if specifically modified take a look at your earliest convenience - Commander Ypse.’
I crush the note in my hand's rage burning in my eyes, the commander can burn in an energy storm for all I care. Job well was done; the killing of the unarmed is a job well done I don’t believe this.
The combat skin is not active sitting in the form of a cube. I put my jumpsuit on then pick up the cube, I place it against my chest and it activates conforming to my body. I feel much stronger in the Monolith I gear, I grip my hand making a fist, feeling power course up it. Looking into the mirror I can see the many cosmetic changes.
“Much more intimidating than my last set.,” I say out loud.
The armor is black with parts of my jumpsuit showing underneath. There are lines going throughout the suit in an intricate pattern, silver energy fills them giving a stark contrast to the armor and jumpsuit. The helmet is the most interesting part by far, my eyes glow silver with what seems to be another pupil within that's constantly shifting shape, a targeting tool I guess? From the eyes flows four lines which blend in with the rest of pattern.
“My hands are clawed as well? Interesting,” I say while inspecting my hands.
I go to pick up my blade which also seems to be new. “Too bad I liked my old one, never let me down.”
I pick it up and rotate it in my hands a few times, looking it over. The hilt is slightly curved with the same energy lines coursing through. The bottom part of the hilt is disconnected and floating near the end of the blade.
Turning it on it activates with a hissing sound burning the air that occupied its space. The color of the blade is the same silver hue with a white outline, I turn it off and lock it on the magnetic strip on my thigh. Turning to my rifle which is the only thing that's not new, interestingly enough and clip it to my back.
“Alright, time to get a move on,” I firmly assert to myself.
I turn around to give my room one last look before I seal the door. The door shuts with a hissing sound and I proceed down the hallway. Looking out through the window that goes the length of the hall I look at space, looking at the stars.
“You could’ve been so beautiful... Worry not I will give you peace,” I say solemnly.
I take the lift down to the research deck to retrieve the materials. Entering the research deck it is completely made of glass with crystalline metal as the support frame. I see the head officer wave at me from the analysis station. I head over getting small looks of attention to my gear, understandable considering no one has ever seen something like it.
“I see that the gear is operational, use it well and defeat all of our foes,” He says after giving me a quick one over.
“Now onto this artifact, It is ancient and does not originate from our galaxy. The elements that compose it have never been seen before and the energy it contains is unbelievable,” He says with a certain fascination.
“Is that all you understand about it? I included the energy it contains in my report?” I say puzzled.
“The energy is interesting enough, but what it's capabilities are is the key. The artifact acts as a doorway, using it we can open space to a higher dimension. Allowing us to travel beyond the confines of our galaxy,” Awe filling his voice as he gazes at the artifact.
“It can also be re-programmed to be used as a weapon but that is insignificant compared to its true capability,” he continues.
I feel dread fill my heart. The magnitude of this has increased a billion fold. Not even our fastest ship could leave the galaxy within a reasonable time. With this, our empire would spread throughout the universe, and the fact it can also be used as a weapon is even more insane.
The researcher looks at me with an almost crazed look in his eye, fantasizing about its glory. “Take this soldier, bring it to the council you will be the herald of a new age for our empire,” he forces the artifact into my hands.
I tightly grip the artifact and look at it in dread. I should destroy it now but I must wait, when we bring it the council hopefully I can end them as well. No, I will end them I made a vow that I will uphold.
I put the artifact in a case designed to hold it and mask its energy signature. With the artifact in tow, I go to get some food and locate my team. Our transport will be leaving in an hour taking us to the Citadel of the Council.
I enter the lift my destination being the mess hall. When the doors of the lift open I enter the hall which is filled with personnel of different positions acquiring the daily meal. Food for our people is different from other species, we only require one meal a day that consists of all essentials. But it is laced with energy supplying the Genesis coursing through us.
The Genesis is a self-replicating artificial particle that attaches to our DNA, developed thousands of years ago it allowed us to become what we are now. It eliminates genetic defects and purifies the sequence, it also allows for new adaptations and what we call Neo-evolution. Neo-evolution is when the Genesis adapts to new energies and changes allowing for us to adapt to anything.
I grab my food ration which looks like a simple white bar. “I wish they would add color, at least it would be interesting,” muttering to myself. My helmet retracts and I eat the small bar that has literally no taste, only texture.
Finishing my bar I stand up to locate my team, I jump back startled when I find them behind me already information.
“You three should’ve at least alerted me to your presence,” I say exasperated.
They look at each other and shrug. Their gear looks similar to mine with different colors of energy coursing through it. O-0014 energy lines are red, P-1137 yellow, and E-2649 has orange energy.
“Sir, we are ready for deployment. May I ask the details of our mission?” O-0014 questions with a salute.
“We are to deliver the artifact to the council and protect it with our lives. This should be relatively easy and we have no room for error whatsoever,” I say with utmost importance.
“Sir, yes Sir!” they salute.
“Alright let's move to Starboard Vehicle Bay our ship leaves in twenty minutes,” I call out.
My team follows closely behind and we enter the lift to the transport. The Vehicle Bay is massive with troop transport ships, tanks, drones, walkers and multiple other machines of war.
There are multiple depots but this is the largest, and sees the most action. Are transport ship is a Predator class speed ship, fastest troop transport in the galaxy. It has cloaking capabilities, high energy particle cannons, and phase shifting abilities. Truly one of our most versatile ships.
Once we board the ship we are on our way to Vadrion in moments. Exiting the ship I look out the window as we zoom past the stars. Soon enough our home comes into view. Vadrion is located inside the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The rest of the galaxy has no idea where our world is, most of them have no idea it's possible to exist inside a black hole.
We discovered many years ago, that a black hole is its own pocket dimension where almost anything can exist inside. Vadrion is the sole planet inside of the black hole and is akin to paradise. A light that shines in the dark.
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“It truly is our crown jewel,” I say to myself as we speed towards the white planet.
We stop pass multiple Metus class battlecruisers to pass on our security codes. Our final checkpoint is the orbital defense platform, which is capable of destroying a star on its own.
“It really is futile to resist us, we don’t even need to use weapons of mass destruction on other races. Instead, they defend one planet,” I sigh.
Breaking through the atmosphere we pass through golden clouds floating on a white sky. I look down out the window to catch a glimpse of the ecumenopolis bellow, I was born and trained on another inner world, few soldiers are allowed to see or even set foot on Vadrion.
“Woah, it's massive,” I hear E-2649 say next to me.
E-2649 is right, the city is massive it spans the entire planet. Silver buildings touch the sky and spiral endlessly downwards. Strange beasts soar the sky and civilian transports dot the horizon. The most intriguing part is that it's built into the planet, natural things such as forest and lakes are part of the design. Even the ocean is part of the city.
“It is beautiful,” I whisper to myself.
But, just because a monster is beautiful doesn’t change the fact that it's still a monster. Our world is amazing in every definition of the word, but what about the others...What about the thousands of others that will never see life. Or the billions of lives annihilated by us. I can’t help but clench my jaw in rage.
“We are nearing the Council’s Citadel, prepare to disembark,” the pilot notifies us.
We disengage our seatbelts and stand up facing the exit platform. The platform opens and wind flows around us slightly offsetting us. The citadel is a few hundred meters away and sits atop the mountain like a crown.
It is made of a pure white stone, with golden windows framed in silver with an energy beam shooting throw the top, for what purpose I do not know. We land in the courtyard the leads directly to the Council Chambers.
We disembark and our transport flies back to orbit with a sonic boom that echoes throughout the citadel. Turning back around I observe the garden that surrounds us. The plants all glow faintly and look like they're made of molten metal. The petals on many look like jewels and they bring a strange sense of comfort to me.
“I see you appreciate the garden, seems you aren’t completely mindless,” A figure clothed in white, with a golden face mask steps out from behind a silver tree. “I am Israfil High Council member of the Mihr Empire,” announcing himself with a nod of his head.
“Lord I am H-1793, my comrades O-0014, P-1137, and E-2649 ready to serve,” We all get on one knee and lower our heads as he approaches.
“You may rise numbers, maybe you will earn yourselves names if we see fit,” He says quietly. “Do you have the artifact?” he inquires.
“Lord this servant thanks you for your generosity, we have brought the artifact,” I say as I hand him the case containing the artifact.
He opens it and the light of the artifact illuminates his face. I can guess the expression he is making under the mask. He closes the case and beckons us to follow. We follow him through the massive golden doors and to the Council Chambers. The hallway has veins of white energy running through the walls, illuminating the many paintings and sculptures. They show all of our achievements as a people chronologically.
We reach a large silver door at the end of the hallway, with white energy forming a pattern decorating the door. Israfil places a pale hand against the door, and it deforms into a liquid flowing away.
The council chambers are styled like that of a small amphitheater, with three thrones designated for the High Council, the remaining seats are for the remaining thirty council members. The members of the High Council both have golden masks similar to Israfil, and the thirty have masks of silver.
“Israfil why do you bring the Numbers? They are not worthy to walk these halls,” a female voice calls out from behind the left golden mask in disdain.
“I agree they are tools this serves no purpose,” a male voice from behind the right mask calls out.
“Anael, Elyon I deem them worthy because of their actions, if not for them how would we have found such a prize,” Israfil answers them.
A pedestal rises at the center of the room, Israfil places the artifact on top of a silver cushion crowning the pedestal. He then proceeds to take his seat between Anael and Elyon.
“Numbers we thank you for your service, you have brought a new age unto the Mihr Empire, you will be remembered for generations for your service,” Israfil voice rings out majestically.
“For hundreds of years we of the High Council have searched for a way to expand, now the key has been brought to us. With this we will expand throughout the universe, guiding the lost and bestowing order upon them,” Israfil continues.
“This galaxy has been cleansed, it is our duty as a people to purify the universe, It is our responsibility, to guide all life onto the straight and narrow path. No more will they squalor in the darkness, for the light has been given to us,” Israfil proclaims for us all to hear.
The council applauds his speech and I feel my heart fill with dread. “It seems there is no other choice…” I whisper to myself.
“H-1793 what are you doing get back on your knees,” O-0014 says attempting to pull me back down. I shrug him off and walk towards the council.
“Number! How dare you rise, who do you think you are?” Anael commands me from above, rage permeating her voice.
I continue to walk forward my gaze set on the artifact, the image of the father and his daughter flashes through my mind. I see them tightly gripping each other with tears wetting their faces, as plasma sears their flesh. I unclip my saber and it activates with a hiss.
“YOU WOULD DARE TO DRAW A WEAPON HERE!” Anael screams at me!
“AHHHHH!!” I scream out as I charge at the artifact. I won’t let them rob the universe of beautiful souls any longer! I leap into the air and descend on the artifact my saber humming as I swing it downwards.
“NOOOOO!!” Israfil screams!
My saber descends upon the artifact but, when it's a few centimeters away a bright energy engulfs the artifact trapping my blade. I feel energy course up my arms and a bright flash explodes from the artifact, knocking everyone in their room to their backs.
“RAAHHHH!!” I scream out as pain sears my body. It is unbearable I feel like I'm being skinned alive by an energy saber. The light intensifies and I feel everything start to distort around me. In one final flash, I close my eyes and a whooshing sound fills my ears, I feel disoriented like I'm being thrown around in every direction.
My vision clears in a few moments, and the sights before me make me forget about the pain. Thousands of stars are zooming past me, I fly by numerous stars, nebulae, planets. I see things moving in the dark, massive creatures of unholy proportions and things I can’t even comprehend nor explain with words.
“Wha-” before I can say anything a planet comes into focus. Blue and green like a beautiful gem shining brightly in the night. In moments my body is being hurled through the atmosphere, fire surrounds me and the artifact. But the powerful shield provided by the artifact keeps it from harming me.
A forest comes into view and I am hurtling towards it at unknown speeds. Dread fills my heart fearing the impact. I slam into the ground and my vision becomes white, my head is ringing and my body feels destroyed.
“Ugh. That was a terrible,” I mutter to myself.
My vision clears up soon enough but my head is still ringing. The shield seems to have taken the brunt of the blow thankfully. My icon is still green confirming I have no injuries, But I feel like I’ve been hit by a spaceship.
I lay on my back and look up at the stars dotting the night sky of the strange planet. “Ah..It seems you are truly so beautiful,” I whisper.
I am on an unknown world seemingly far away from any Mihr space. I have upheld my vow to the stars, they won’t escape the Milky Way anytime soon.
“H-1793 is dead… I am no longer a number, I will make myself anew,” I declare. “I am Amesis, the named. I won’t let anyone feel the dark, I will be the light for those that have none. I will be HOPE! This I declare to the stars,” I take my solemn vow.
My vision becomes cloudy and consciousness fades from me. I drift to sleep in an unknown world under an alien sky, not knowing what it has in store for me.