Strike Leader’s eyes widened in horror and they were unable to restrain their nape tentacles from flaring as a large, clawed hand reached through the Quantum Tear and effortlessly swatted both defensive vessels from the sky. The two vessels impacted the ground a fraction of a second later. One of the pilots was lucky, and his auto-ejection mechanism released him into the sky before impact. The other spawn was less fortunate, its fate displayed on the viewing screen, where full notifications had been enabled.
[Two fighter vessels destroyed.
One fighter spawn lost.]
“Retrieve the other fighter spawn.” Strike Leader said, watching as a large beam of light extended to the falling fighter, before pulling it back aboard the command vessel.
“Do you think me incapable of issuing so simple a command?” Sector Assimilator said, giving a warning glance.
“Not at all, your Spawnliness. This one simply didn’t want you to have to go through the trouble of completing so small a task.” Strike Leader lied, hoping that it would be enough to placate the crazed commander.
At first, Strike Leader had followed the chain of command properly, only giving input when asked. But, as the tear continued to remain open, and the death toll mounted, the atmosphere had become more heated. Sector Assimilator was apparently unwilling to close the tear, something that would have been easy initially, but got harder with every passing moment–harder was the wrong term, it got more expensive, costing the mission in precious resources. Apparently, that wasn’t important to Sector Assimilator, and neither were the crew members.
Their train of thought was broken off as a second arm pushed its way through the rift, the large appendages seeming to condense at the point of entrance in order to make it possible for the much-to-large creature to pass through the tear. Four fighter vessels responded this time, prepared for the speed of the beast; they dodged its flailing appendages, doing damage at every possible opening, until eventually, the damage was sufficient to break through the beast's natural defenses. Blood rained from the sky, before an appendage was broken off entirely, falling to the desert floor below, where the waiting wurms swarmed the fresh meat.
Strike Leader barely managed to check their sigh of relief. That was a mid Tier Two beast, just below the cusp of what their vessel was prepared to handle. If things continued to progress this way, they would soon find themselves overpowered.
“Is Sector Assimilator positive that the tear shall continue to remain open?” Strike Leader dared ask after a few moments of internal debate.
“Again with this conversation? The command was already given clearly, the tear remains open until the anomaly returns.”
For a few moments, Strike Leader remained silent, burning with anger at the lack of care for their direct reports, until a close dodge displayed by one of the spawn on the viewing screen forced their hand and they spoke up again.
“The beasts are getting stronger. We aren’t prepared for a Tier 3…. we weren’t even expecting to face anything Tier 2. This is the edge of the known Multiverse, and the Strike Team is on board only as a precaution.”
Sector Assimilator’s face took on deathly pallor the longer Strike Leader spoke, but they shouldered onward. “Would it not be best to simply close the tear, accept our losses, and continue with the integration?”
Sector Assimilator’s voice was dangerously calm as they began to answer. “What is your rank? Have you been trained to make decisions that pertain to an integration? Have you been trained in System economics and the importance of recuperating losses created by anomalies?” The calm voice slowly grew in volume as each question was asked, until it rang through the chamber. Strike Leader could tell that every spawn within the room was listening, some in fear and morbid fascination at their impending doom, others hoping that Sector Assimilator would see reason.
“No answer? Figures. Well, here are the basic economics. Anomalies are only allowed within the constraints of the System because much of the cosmic energy invested in them is regained upon full integration. That is just for a basic anomaly, but this anomaly is in a category all of its own. It has in its possession, nearly the entirety of the cosmic pool, which all of you should have remembered.” Sector Assimilator paused there, allowing the information to settle.
“Yes, unfortunately it is stored in its spatial storage bag, which, by the way, was a huge mistake in allowing an anomaly to keep. That will definitely be a part of my reports…”
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
Sector Assimilator continued their discourse and Strike Leader could tell that the crew had been swayed, but they weren’t. They hadn’t forgotten that the two higher ups had sat in the chamber for weeks on end, watching the anomaly.
If anything, those two were the cause of the current predicament, and I highly doubt that this is truly in regards to the cosmic pool, though it is a major loss. they thought. Horror dawned on them only moments later. They must have truly discovered something incredibly valuable in the anomaly, and that is why they actually want it back. And the only way to get resources from an anomaly is to disobey the fundamental tenets.
Seeing things clearly, Strike Leader went through the motions of an apology, then excused themselves from the chamber. As soon as they turned the corner, they quickened their pace towards the Officer’s Brig. It was time to pay System Administrator a visit.
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Junior Administrator watched Strike Leader exit the room with relief. Hopefully the tension they were feeling would die down now that someone wasn’t digging into details surrounding the anomaly.
“Now where do you think they are off to?” Sector Assimilator mused.
“They said something about needing to check on the crew.”
“And you believed that? No, they are up to something. Let’s wait a few minutes and then go see if we can catch a rat.”
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System Administrator’s head hurt from the constant worry caused by not knowing what was going on. The general alarm sounded seemingly at random, alerting him that the issue with the Quantum Tear persisted.
“Psst..” a hiss got his attention.
Moving to the door hatch, he peaked out, just making out the face of Strike Leader.
“Strike Leader, greetings.” he said, finding the words surprisingly difficult. Strike Leader had been a part of many integrations with System Administrator, and it was painful to have to abase themselves when addressing someone who for many years had been their inferior.
“Listen quickly, there isn’t much time.” Strike Leader said, before launching into a description of all that had been going on.
“So you see,” he said in conclusion, “if they are actually planning to harvest fractals from the anomaly, that would have to be done illegally. And that got this one thinking, what does that mean for the crew? The mission would be a wash for everyspawn but them, and we would be lucky to gain janitorial duty for any other integration.”
After a few moments, System Administrator responded, his words measured, slow, and laced with caution. “You realize what you are suggesting would be mutiny? We would never be welcome back to the Hive.”
“Yes. But I also realize that we may not make it back to the Hive if something doesn’t change, and I don’t just mean because a Tier 3 beast could come and wipe us out at any minute. I mean that those two are the types of spawn to kill over something like this. Seems likely that you and I simply fail to make it back to the Hive in either case.”
“It is a valid point, so what is you…” System Administrator began to ask, only to be cut off as the hatch ont he door slammed closed.
Leaning against the door, they were just able to make out the conversation on the other side.
“Oh, what do we have here?” Sector Assimilator’s asked.
“Uhh…. We… That is… “ Strike Leader began to crumble in the face of scrutiny.
“Just coming to pay an old friend a visit, or is there more to this little meeting than meets the eye?”
“Visiting an.. o.. old friend.” Strike Leader managed to get out, and System Administrator could easily envision the sweat literally dripping down their tentacles, Strike Leader had never been good at politics. They were much to honest.
“How touching. Well, unfortunately, the meeting needs to be cut short. As leader of this sector, I have come to the conclusion that our forces are in need of more expertise on the frontlines. So I am sending you down to personally ensure the safety of the mission. You understand, I'm sure.” None of the assembled group had any doubt exactly what was happening, Strike Leader was going to the front where they would likely die.
Rather than cowering any longer, Strike Leader seemed to reign in their fear as a short moment later, System Administrator heard a much more steady voice through the door. “Goodbye, Administrator. It has been an honor serving under you.”
Sector Assimilator’s retreating voice was just barely audible, “Who knows, if you do well enough, perhaps we can rotate in some fun for everyone on the ship. It is always good to give the crew experience.”
That was the last that System Administrator heard. As they once again sat alone, pondering everything that had just happened, they felt that things had actually progressed better than expected. If anything incriminating had actually been heard, then a swift execution was in store, which was much easier to enact than having someone killed in the line of duty. No, it appeared that Sector Assimilator still only had their suspicions. Which meant System Administrator still had time.