Admiral Cooker stood stoically on the bridge of the U.H.C London, his gaze fixed on the vast plains of the unnamed planet, now known as "the wilds" by some members of the crew.
They were finally in motion, transferring a large group of survivors onto the surface. The original plans had been delayed by a month to construct a basic wall after Alpha was attacked in the forest.
"Status report. Is everything going smoothly?" His voice betrayed his exhaustion; everyone was running on fumes and in desperate need of rest.
"No major incidents so far, sir," replied the communications officer with a stifled yawn.
A sudden influx of information flooded the screens on the bridge, causing some crew members to flinch and swat at themselves as they tried to remove the floating display in front of their eyes.
[INTEGRATION FOR ALL MEMBERS OF RACE: HUMAN – TIME TO COMPLETION: 120:47:12]
[ERROR]
[ERROR]
[LAST HUMAN INTEGRATED ON ERLAS 1476 YEARS AGO]
[LAST HUMAN VITAL SIGNS CEASED 1461 YEARS AGO. NAME: VALEN MORNHILL- AGE:15 – CAUSE OF DEATH: BLOOD LOSS CAUSED BY LEVEL 150 SCOURGE DEATH KNIGHT]
[ERROR]
[ 7 MEMBERS OF RACE: HUMAN FOUND INTEGRATED ON ERLAS]
[STARTING EMERGENCY INTEGRATION FOR REMAINING MEMBERS OF RACE: HUMAN – TIME TO COMPLETION 00:59:59]
[TIME TO COMPLETION 00:32:08]
[ERROR]
[RETRYING]
[TIME TO COMPLETION 00:08:37]
[ERROR]
[RETRYING]
[TIME TO COMPLETION 00:00:48]
[ERROR]
[RETRYING]
[INTEGRATION COMPLETE FOR 23,567 MEMBERS OF RACE: HUMAN]
"Admiral, reports of injuries coming in, I've relayed the information from Alpha in regards to the interface showing up." The tiredness evaporating from the words of the communications officer.
Admiral Cooker stood up straight, his gaze narrowing as he read the wall of text in front of him. His eyes kept coming back to the unbelievable words: "Last human vital signs ceased almost one and a half thousand years ago." He muttered this phrase over and over again, trying to make sense of it. "Humans were here over a thousand years ago," he thought to himself, feeling a surge of confusion and fear. He made sure to remember the name of the final human mentioned. The implication that human life had once existed on this planet, only to be destroyed by some unknown force called 'the scourge', shook him to his very core.
"Admiral, I've got another incoming transmission," the communications officer interjected, his voice strained as he forced his focus back to the task at hand. "It's from Major General Dunn"
"Put it through," Cooker commanded, his mind still reeling from the implications of the data. The holographic screen flickered to life, revealing an exhausted looking Major General Dunn.
"Admiral, one of my long-range teams has just reported over a hundred unknown humanoids approaching. They are armed with swords and shields but no firearms, and they are moving at speed with injured towards the ship. They're being chased by something. You have maybe three hours "
"Prepare to establish contact, I'm sending Alpha for this they've got more experience with the system. Engage the pursuers if it looks like they'll catch up before Alpha makes it.
Admiral Cooker's voice was sharp, cutting through the tension that gripped the bridge. He turned towards his tactical officer, who was already inputting commands into the terminal with a speed born of urgency.
"Request immediate deployment of Alpha Team. They're our best asset in this scenario." Cooker's eyes scanned the faces around him, seeking confirmation of their readiness. "And get a visual on those pursuers. I want to know what we're dealing with."
The bridge buzzed with a renewed sense of urgency as bridge crew tapped away at their displays and the sounds of orders being given over comm devices.
"Alpha Team is prepped and ready for deployment, sir," came the voice of Commander Donald Lera. His sharp gaze met Cooker's, reflecting both determination and concern. "But, should we engage without knowing what we're up against?"
"Absolutely, Commander. We have no time to waste," Cooker replied, his voice firm yet steady. "We need to gain a footing on this planet. No better way to do it than to save some lives."
###
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"My lord, you must leave with the Prince and Princess. We will hold them off for as long as we can." Ilarial pleaded, her white blonde hair matted with sweat and stained with dried blood.
"Ridiculous, they are old enough to rule. Would you really deny your king to stand with his guard?" The words hung in the air heavy with resolve. King Galthir said his voice like thunder, his eyes swept across the makeshift convoy.
"Bring my son and daughter to me, he will ensure the safety of the injured and refugees, send ten guards with him. My daughter will assume the crown if I am to perish here."
Ilarial's heart sank at the thought of losing her king, "Your majesty, we cannot afford to lose you, not now. The people need you more than ever"
"I will hear no more of this, I shall stay If I fall then I fall knowing my children are safe." He turned towards his exhausted guard barking commands, slicing through the fear like a blade. "Prepare yourselves for battle! We will not falter; we will not fall here!"
As chaos erupted around them Ilarial felt dread coil within her stomach. She turned quickly to find Prince Falael and Princess Aelith weaving through the crowd of injured. A fearful determination etched onto their youthful faces.
"Father! you cannot do this, you will not abandon us!" Falael's voice rang out, sharp and clear against the clattering of armour.
Aelith stood with him her voice tinged with fear. "We will not leave you, we stand with you to the end."
King Galthir stood before them his frame shadowing their faces in the evening sun. "I know your hearts stand brave, my children." his hands held the circlet of rulers. "But today there are lives at stake, lives that need you both to keep them safe. My beautiful daughter promise me that you will always protect and guide our people."
"Father!" Aelith's voice trembled as she stepped forward, sapphire blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "You cannot ask this of us! We are not ready to lead."
"Quiet now my loving daughter, I would like you to kneel for me. Allow me this last honour." His blue eyes blazed with conviction.
Aelith hesitated, the weight of the request anchoring he to the spot."But—"
"Please," he urged, failing to keep his voice from breaking. "This is not just about today. This is about ensuring our legacy lives on, that the hopes and dreams of our people live on."
With a resigned breath, she knelt on the churned up earth, her silver hair pooling around her like moonlight. it felt wrong to kneel before her father; she had always seen him as an unyielding pillar of strength. yet in this moment he was but a man surrounded by chaos and despair-a father fighting to protect his children.
Falael watched as his sister knelt, the tension in the air thickening. Anguish welled within him, a rising tide of emotions threatening to spill over. "Aelith, don't! We can't abandon him!" His voice cracked, desperation clawing at his throat.
"I must," Aelith replied, her resolve settling like cold steel. "We have no choice." She lowered her head, and Galthir placed the circlet upon her brow, an act of both blessing and farewell. The ancient gold glinted in the fading sunlight.
"it is settled," he declared resolutely. "Aelith shall lead our retreat and Falael shall protect them with all that he has.
Galthir's voice hardened as he spoke, "Ilarial, you will accompany them. You are like family to them and they will need your guidance."
In the distance a horn sounded out. The pursuers had almost caught up to them. "Go, now!" he commanded the three of them. As he turned toward the soon to be incoming tide of enemies. Unyielding resolve etched upon his features, the sword in his hand crackled with energy.
###
"Not one step back!, they will not pass us!" Galthir shouted over the sounds of clashing metal and thunderous roars of the enemy. His voice infused with [RALLYING CRY] kept the flames of courage strong in their hearts.
beside him, the golden haired mage Lirael clenched her staff, the crystal cracked with heavy mana draw "I'm low on mana my lord, I-" at that moment a vile looking barbed arrow pierced the unarmoured spot of the mage's throat cutting her sentence off into a gurgle as she fell. Blood staining her golden hair and robes.
With each passing moment, more of his shield wall crumbled as the attacks and injuries took their toll. A vicious billhook slashed through the air, ripping Galthir's shield away from him and creating a chance for an enemy spear to pierce through his armour.
[YOU HAVE BEEN POISONED]
information exploded into his vision as his spot in the shield wall was quickly filled. The world whirled around him, the thumping of his heart muffling all other sounds. He hardly registered the brutal thwacks that ended each life. Struggling to sit against the rocky wall of the chokepoint, he could just make out the chaos unfolding before him as his comrades fought on. The source of the rapid thwacking soon revealed itself as green shapes that seemed to blend into the surroundings they cut through the wicked goblins with ease with the strange gray objects in their hands.
Galthir's vision narrowed as the poison continued to spread through his body, darkness creeping in at the edges. His final glimpse was of a young woman removing her helmet, triggering memories of his daughter. But what truly caught his attention were her ears - short and rounded like the ancient human paintings he had seen. "Sh-short ears? Hu...man?" he managed to utter before taking his last breaths.
her heart pounding and breath hitching in her throat. The acrid smell of smoke and singed earth clawed at her senses as she took in the scene. Goblins sprawled across the ground, their grotesque forms twisted in defeat, but it was too late. King Galthir lay motionless at the base of a shattered boulder, his once-dominating figure now still.
"Dammit!" Chloe hissed, her voice trembling with frustration. She had trained for this her new skills honed and levelled through countless simulations, through endless hours of drills. A wave of anger surged within her, unyielding and sharp. She clenched her fists, fist pounding the churned up earth.
"Chloe!" Sergeant Alfaro's voice cut through the anger and despair. He stood at the edge of the chokepoint, weapon raised, eyes scanning their surroundings. The remnants of the goblin horde were still retreating, desperate to escape against the sudden violence gifted to them by Alpha. The sergeant's presence was a steady anchor in the chaos.
"Get ready for contact!" he shouted, his tone commanding.
"Contact?" Chloe echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. But even as she spoke, shadows shifted in the underbrush. She could see them—goblins, their beady eyes glinting with malice.
"Move! Milford, Agafonov, cover our flank!" Alfaro barked, snapping Chloe out of her reverie.
Cpl Milford charged past her, rifle raised, while Cpl Agafonov slid into position beside him, his expression calm yet focused. They worked seamlessly, anticipating each other's moves as they unleashed a barrage of firepower against the last of the brave goblins attempting to ambush them. The air erupted with the crack of gunfire, punctuated by the guttural cries of the goblins as they fell one by one.
"Chloe!" Alfaro called again, urgency threading through his voice.
With a deep breath snapping her out of the fog , she raised her own weapon, shifting her focus to the enemy. The sight of the elves holding their ground inspired a flicker of hope within her, their shields forming a barrier against the stragglers, not letting them escape.
"Watch your left!" Agafonov shouted a warning, and she caught a glimpse of a goblin lunging toward her, a jagged knife gleaming in its filthy grip. Time slowed as she pivoted, squeezing the trigger. The recoil jolted through her arm, and the creature crumpled to the ground.
"Push them back!" Alfaro commanded, rallying the team as they advanced.
With renewed vigour, Chloe moved alongside her team. Each goblin they felled felt like a small victory against the tide of guilt washing over her. But even as victory loomed.
"Clear!" Alfaro announced, scanning the battlefield as the last of the goblins retreated into the shadows. Silence settled, heavy and oppressive, broken only by the ragged breaths of the team.
The air was thick with the scent of blood as Chloe stepped away from the remnants of the battle, her heart still pounding in her chest. She had been too late to save the King—but now, a different kind of urgency gripped her. The elves, short term allies against the goblins, were shifting uneasily, eyes narrowing at her presence.
[SYSTEM TRANSLATION ACTIVE]
"Who dares approach our fallen king?" came a voice, sharp and accusing. A figure emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing. The elf's armour shimmered, catching what little light remained, reflecting a fierce determination.
Chloe tightened her grip on her sidearm, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. "I'm not your enemy," she said, voice steadier than she felt. "We fought alongside you. We tried to—"
"Enough!" The elf interrupted, stepping forward with grace that belied the tension in her stance. "You carry the scent of death upon you, stranger.
Alfaro barked, positioning himself protectively between the elf and Chloe. "We are here to help."
"Help? Or hasten our destruction?" Another elf joined, his eyes blazing with mistrust. Around them, others shifted, hands inching toward weapons.
Chloe's pulse quickened. They were ready to strike. She could sense it in the air—the charged anticipation of a fight. She couldn't let this turn into another slaughter.
"Please," she urged, dropping her weapon to the ground. "Look at me. I'm not here to harm you." as the rest of Alpha removed their helmets.
"Think wisely before you speak further," the tall elf warned, her eyes scanning Chloe's features as if trying to penetrate her soul.
Then something flickered in the depths of those sharp eyes. A hint of recognition? The elf leaned closer, her gaze narrowing. "What trickery is this?"
"Trickery?" Chloe said, confusion mingling with anxiety.
"Your ears," the elf whispered, disbelief cracking through her resolve. The other elves paused, their hostility faltering as they exchanged glances. One took a step forward, squinting at Chloe, as if trying to see beyond the surface.
"Her ears," he murmured, strikingly similar to the ancestors depicted in the ancient tapestries of the king's residence. "The paintings... humans."
"That cannot be," another elf muttered, scepticism lingering in his words. "The tales of old spoke of horrific things, the death of the humans"
"Yet here they stand, humans, gone for a thousand years." she interjected, her demeanour shifting from hostility to cautious curiosity.