|Location: Unknown --> System: Enroute to Xephos System --> Connection... Established|
With the threat of Empress Snow gone, the Explorers groups and the Ryelin people left the Ryelight and began their journey to the Xephos System. Repair crews had gotten the Spirit of Freedom back into her pristine shape as Prescott and his crew would lead them. As the Spirit of Freedom took its place at the head of the pack, the Andromeda Resolve ship aligned itself with the pack. It was massive compared to the other ships within the pack.
As they trekked across what used to be considered dead space, their first major hurdle appeared several hours into their journey.
"Captain, we've got a debris field dead ahead. It is fairly dense, and god knows if the Andromeda Resolve has the shields needed to take it head-on." Relayed Jesscott.
"All ships, launch whatever fighters you have, and surround Resolve. Deflectors at maximum on the front and side not facing the Resolve. We're plowing through this shit."
As the ships formed up, scout ships from Admiral Snow watched as the ships punched a hole through the layers of debris and asteroids. "Empress Snow, we've located them. What are your orders?"
"Lay waste to them." The Empress smirked from her command vessel that was lying in wait to engage them. As the small ships began to fire upon the line of ships, the various ships took hits, all of them scrambling and scared except for the Spirit of Freedom and the Andromeda Resolve.
"CRESSCOTT! Pick out something good, will ya?" Said Prescott as Cresscott slapped "Dark Horse-Hardstyle" into the tape deck. The Spirit of Freedom opened her gunports and opened up every gun the Scotts had to spare, all firing at a seemingly random pattern. However, Snow had underestimated the newcomer Captain. What seemed random to her, was actually strategic shots sending a chain of space debris straight at her and the smaller ships from all sides.
"PULL BACK NOW!" Yelled Snow as several of her ships were ripped to pieces. As the Line of ships emerged on the other side of the debris field, Michigan flipped the Pacific Cruiser around and had his crew open fire. Even though they were horse and buggy in comparison to Snow's fleet, it became clear that even a horse and buddy could be dangerous. Missiles and lasers struck the Empress's dreadnought that was attempting to flee the system.
Meanwhile, deep underground there was a being listening in to their battle communications. "Prescott, I'm horse and buggy compared to Snow's ship. If I don't get some kind of help, I have no doubt she'll leave us a surprise."
The being sighed heavily and spoke to the empty unground room. "It's time Mecha and her sister planets became... useful... once more." The being clacked away on a keyboard and pressed the command key. As Prescott and Michigan attempted to keep Snow from firing, the larger of the five planets seemingly cracked in two, revealing a massive cannon. Once it was fully charged, the beam ripped past the Spirit of Freedom and Pacific Cruiser then slammed into the Dreadnought's hull, ripping a massive hole through it. The explorers were too stunned to speak while the colonists were horrified by what they saw. However, before anyone could speak, Snow and her fleet left, and her departure was followed by a voice cutting across their various intercoms.
"With the interloper called "Empress Snow" dealt with... Prepare to be... transported."
As the voice cut out, a select few of the various ship Captains seemingly vanished. The being pressed a button and the planet resealed itself. "You're up. Do show our guests proper Promeshion Hospitality." After the being had finished speaking, another stood up and racked a massive cartridge into an arm-mounted cannon's chamber. "It shall be as you have said... Eridanus."
When the transported explorers appeared, Prescott and Michigan were standing back to back while Phoenix and Mariner were laying off to their sides.
"Where the hell are we?" Asked Mariner, shakily standing up. The explorers looked around only to find they were trapped in a doorless room.
"I'm not sure... but we can handle whatever..." Michigan was interrupted by the center of the room rising up to reveal a behemoth of a being. It had to have been seven or eight feet tall and weighed around eight hundred pounds of pure muscle and armor. The heavy metallic footfalls from it were panic-inducing enough, but then it spoke to them.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THIS SYSTEM!?" It yelled as it raised its arm cannon at them. However, much to its surprise it found that Prescott had his Scattergun raised at it. There was no fear in his eyes, a warrior's spirit dominated them rather than a weaker spirit. The hulking being stopped just shy of a four-foot range from Prescott.
"We are Explorers from the Milky Way Galaxy. We four are from the Planet known as Earth or referred to as Terra. Who are you?"
The being hesitated for a moment, then reached over and flipped on a switch bringing open light panels that illuminated the room. Standing before the fearless explorer was a massive being in scorched silver battle armor like nothing had ever seen. The cannon that Prescott had seen was about the same height as Phoenix was tall. The being lowered its arm and cocked its head. "Terra is a long, and very far journey from here. However, I am Tyitainnous, Elite Guard of the Promeshion Race."
The large being rubbed the back of his neck. "I expected Terrans to be..."
"Taller?" Asked Michigan, with a hint of skepticism.
"Yes, much taller. No matter though. Eridanus has requested your presents. Please follow me."
"What about our crews?" Asked Mariner. His transparent visor gave his facial expression away.
"Fear not. Neither Eridanus nor I shall harm you. Your crews have been told to stay put. Now come along."
As Tyitainnous and the four explorers went deep into the planet's core, they arrived at an odd, ancient-looking door. As it opened, a gray-skinned being, similar to Tyitainnous in height, looked at them using all four of its eyes.
"I thought they'd be..."
"Taller. Yes, we discussed that. The armored one showed no fear, and the one with a tattered blue cape seems to be... untrusting... of us."
"Tyitainnous, I stole them off their ships using matter transport tech. They have every right to be skeptical." The second being turned to the four explorers. "Sorry to snag you off of your ships. First and foremost, I am Eridanus, former leader of the Promeshion people. Tyitainnous and I learned your language by studying the communications you were all broadcasting." Eridanus's yellow eyes cut through the darkened room like a candle. "Secondly, welcome to the dead civilization homeworld of the Promeshion Race."
As they looked around the planet's core, various monitors and machines beeped and blinked with one monitor showing their fleet of ships.
"What do you plan to do to us?" Asked Michigan, whose T-style visor flickered red for a moment.
Eridanus looked to Tyitainnous who nodded to him. "We have a... proposition for you... That is of course if you are interested." Eridanus said as his mandible jaw formed a smile that would scare even their best warriors.