Magister Kalani sighed as she looked at the two requests for assistance that she had received early that morning. Two previously unknown stellar nations now battled the Yil’kaa, and she could already tell that the other members of the Conclave were discussing their military strategies. The Humans had leaked the requests to the rest of them, and she could almost see Senator Wen’s smug smile as she received a copy of the same.

She didn’t particularly like humans, they were so self-centered, so smug, and so… nosy. But she couldn’t deny that they were a dependable lot, that their inclusion in the Conclave had been perhaps one of the biggest boons ever. For them to threaten withdrawal from the federation was like taking the EV Suits from a ship and then venting the air. It would be disastrous.

Closing her eyes, she could see only one real course of action that would let her keep her job and keep the humans around a little longer, and she brought up her terminal, drafting a message to all available senators.

Four Hours Later

“In a surprising turn of events, the emergency meeting of the Conclave has yielded the first ever unanimous vote in the Conclave’s history. The emergency meeting was called when the senators received word that two previously unknown species had requested assistance in dealing with a long standing antagonist of our galaxy, the Yil’kaa. The vote was on whether or not to mobilize the respective fleets and go to their aid, or to hold back. As it has become apparent, the former was decided on and now the military might of a united galaxy prepares to once again sail into battle.”

“Now onto sports!”

People looked up in wonder as the news was broadcast across the stars, and the fine soldiers and sailors, pilots and medics that were on call received their summons. Tearfully they parted from their loved ones, then steeled themselves for what was to come. Most knew that humanity would probably be first in and last out, they had a knack for this sort of thing and tended to lead the way into any major engagement. This conflict would be no different, they only hoped that it would be the last they ever saw of the Yil’kaa.

It was time to give them a thrashing they would never forget.

⫷⟪∞⟫⫸

Constructing a ship was hard, I had discovered. But luckily for me I am a fast learner. The issue that stood most prominent was the fact that the Imperium did not have the same machines that Valkyr had when they built their living ships. But that could easily be rectified, I hoped. I just needed to modify some of the shipyard machines to do what I needed them to, and everything would come out perfect.

It took time, more time than I liked. When I wasn’t altering machines to suit my needs, I watched as Zreeth and Ula grew closer and closer, more open with the relationship they were forging and I found myself longing for the same. I needed that sort of companionship, but in my current state I was incapable of it. Another problem, for another day.

It took four weeks to retrofit the machines, and the systems of the dock that I had been given. It was time to lay the foundation. With the resources I had acquired I set about printing the bones that would make up the superstructure. Gleaming white pillars of dense calcium and marrow, laced with alloy metals to further enhance their durability, but retain some flexibility.

Next the thinner bones, the cartilage to create hallways within the superstructure. I garnered a near constant audience, technicians, engineers and shipwrights all came to watch as my creation began to take shape.

Once the bones and cartilage were laid, next was muscle and organ placement. The great reactors were grown, and once complete began to pulsate as the ship became more and more realized. Veins filled with rich blood and liquids, spaceborne particles filtered and put to use. With the anchors still holding my creation in place, all could feel the rumbling heartbeats shudder through the hull of the shipyard.

As flesh was stretched over the muscle and nerves of my new ship, I took a look at the Warden, a sense of sorrow in me for what I was about to do. But I couldn’t control two ships at once, it was beyond even my capabilities. And so I went to scrap it. But something stopped me from doing so, perhaps a strange premonition, or just a sense of wrongness. Instead I let it be, leaving it docked at the Needle for now. Who knew, perhaps I would have need of it later, in case my new vessel did not live up to my expectations.

With the organic portion of the ship constructed, I turned my focus onto more synthetic components. Armor and circuits, cannons and ammunition. I clad my creation in glimmering armor and mounted the strongest guns I could build to its hull, securing them with a sense of finality. Like Valkyr had made the perfect creation for killing and warfare, here I was echoing them. But this time it would be different. Rather than seeking the creation of this weapon of war for the purpose of control, it was made to defend those that could not defend themselves. I suppose that’s what everyone said when making weapons, but it fell to the user to give those weapons their true purpose for existing.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

I swore to myself that what I wanted for this weapon would be used for that exact purpose, nothing more. And if it wasn’t, then I would destroy it. I would destroy myself too, if the situation called for it.

The ship was nowhere near ready for battle or even for flying yet when I heard the tell-tale chime of someone wanting to talk with me. A little annoyed at the interruption, I turned to whomever it was and found it was Ula. My annoyance faded quickly, replaced with delight. She had not come to see the construction of my new vessel, too busy she had been with her now official job and Zreeth. I did not begrudge that in the slightest, she was entitled to a life beyond me after all.

“Ula, is everything alright?” I asked, as I projected myself into the room she occupied. For once she didn’t look caught off guard or surprised by my sudden appearance.

“I’m alright, just wanted to check on you. It’s been a few days since we last spoke after all.” She said, and I motioned towards a chair. She seemed… contemplative, distant even and I wished to know why.

“Ah right, I’ve been getting caught up in this,” I say, motioning out the window at the starship. “It’s been… interesting. I’ve never built a starship before but I’ve found I have quite the knack for it. All it needs is a name now really, but I can’t think of anything fitting.”

She looked it over, taking in the smooth, crisp lines of the armor, the still exposed sections of organic material under it. Construction drones flitted by, now and then manned pods as well as I had enlisted the aid of some of the shipyard’s workers.

“It’s certainly an impressive sight. I can’t wait to see it when it’s complete.” She paused, frowning then turned to face me. A hand motion caused the window to darken, eliminating the distraction that was my ship. “I want to ask something of you. It’s advice really, if you have the experience.”

I blink, surprised by this. Normally it’s more just needing clarification on something from her, not advice. She’s been pretty self-sufficient in the advice department since we met. Gathering myself, I nod. “Of course, anything.”

“Have you ever been a mother?”

This question brought my entire train of thought to a standstill, old pain flared within me and it clearly showed on my face as I recoiled like I’d been slapped. She saw this and I assumed she was about to retract her request when I raised a hand to stop her.

“Once… Yes I was a mother. Not for very long unfortunately. But long enough.” I say this softly. There’s real pain in my voice, but also perhaps a sliver of hope for her.

“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Please… Don’t be sorry. It’s a dark story, one I don’t wish to rehash at this time, but you came for advice and I can give it.” I say this softly again, but firmly.

“Well then… I was wondering… What do you do? Like how do you be a good mother?” She asked, and silence descended briefly over us as I thought about it.

“It’s impossible to be a perfect mother, but it’s easy to be a terrible mother. Same for the father. The only real advice I can give you is to do your best. It’ll be difficult, more difficult it seems than conducting a battle or a war. But so long as you keep pushing forward, show interest in the development of your child, encourage them to be the best they can be without being overbearing. Then that will be enough.” I sniffled softly, turning my head to hide the tear rolling down my cheek, which I swiped away.

She nodded, and it seemed like she was going to say something but I beat her to it. “I assume you're only asking me about this because you’re planning on becoming a mother?” I watched her with a sidelong look, and I watched her freeze for a moment.

“Well I mean, yeah someday. I think it’d be nice, you know?” She said, coughing softly. I smirk, waving a hand.

“It can be quite nice indeed. Other times it’ll make you want to kick your kid out a window. But that’s just how things are.” I sighed and stood, smoothing out my robes. “Someday Ula, you’ll make a wonderful mother.” I move to the window, standing there with my arms behind my back as though I’m surveying my domain.

“Someday…” She murmurs, before standing as well and granting me a full four armed hug from behind. “Thank you Intra.” She whispered and then turned to leave, heading back to the planet below.

I let her go, a soft smile on my lips. That’s when I receive a message, one I glance at. The contents cause my focus to shift, the window once more becoming transparent and allowing me to look upon my creation. It was almost time.

“Nemesis Fleet on approach. ETA: One week. Transfer of command upon arrival. Terran Alliance forces will arrive one week later, Conclave allies the week after that. We are prepared for war.”

One week, that’s all I have left till I go to war. It will be my last war I feel, I haven’t the stomach for it anymore. But I will do what I must to ensure the safety of those I care about, and to right the wrongs committed by my creators.

I must do this, for if I do not, then who will?

⫷⟪∞⟫⫸

One Week Later

The space over Pelevon bulged and then split open, much as it had when Intra did her hard translation back into real space. But this time there were no flashes of otherworldly beasts and horrors, or terrible hellish dimensions. Instead it was just a clean cut, a wound in the fabric of reality that allowed the Nemesis Fleet to arrive in orbit. With terrible grace and majestic synchronicity they arrayed themselves over the shipyard where Intra was building her new ship, waiting for the order to be given. But there was still some planning to be done, they couldn’t leave immediately.

So while the plans were drawn, the H.I.s of the Nemesis Fleet explored their new surroundings, ogling at the new species around them. They gasped and crooned over art and history, and quickly started to make friends with the local populace. It was good to see, even though they would all soon have to leave. Many may not make it back, but that was a risk they were all willing to make.

It was their purpose after all, to fight and die for humanity. Or it had been once, now it had expanded and evolved. They fought for everyone now, for those incapable of standing up for themselves, even if it meant they had to sacrifice their lives for them.

After all, sacrifices must sometimes be made for the good of them all.