The Pursuit of Shadows Pt. 2

Planet Purplian; Latoiom System

The city lay sprawled beneath the crimson sky, its once bustling streets now eerily silent as the shadow of destruction loomed overhead. The air was thick with smoke and the acrid scent of burning debris, a grim harbinger of the devastation to come.

In the heart of the city, amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling thoroughfares, people scrambled for safety, their panicked cries echoing through the deserted streets. But there was no escape from the inevitable, no refuge from the onslaught that descended upon them like a wrathful storm.

A mother, clutching her child to her chest, ran frantically through the debris-strewn streets, her heart pounding with terror. Tears streamed down her face as she begged for mercy, her desperate pleas falling on deaf ears as energy bolts rained down from above.

A young couple, their hands clasped tightly together, raced through the crumbling alleyways, their hearts pounding with fear. They stumbled and fell, their screams of anguish drowned out by the deafening roar of destruction as energy blades sliced through the air, tearing them apart with ruthless efficiency.

An elderly man, his weathered face contorted in agony, huddled against the shattered remains of a building, his hands trembling with fear. He cried out for salvation, his voice choked with emotion as he watched helplessly as the city crumbled around him, consumed by the relentless fury of the attack.

Amidst the chaos, a lone figure stood tall, his eyes blazing with defiance as he faced the oncoming onslaught with unwavering resolve. He had only taken down two of the invaders and was the last survivor of his squad. He raised his weapon high, determined to fight to the bitter end, and take as many down with him; even as the alien ships descended upon the city like avenging angels of death.

Above, the alien ships hovered ominously in the crimson sky, their sleek metallic hulls gleaming in the fading light. With a deafening roar, they unleashed a torrent of devastating energy, bathing the city below in a blinding inferno of destruction.

Buildings crumbled to dust, streets were reduced to smoldering ruins, and the once vibrant city was transformed into a barren wasteland of death and despair. The alien ships continued their merciless assault, their weapons raining down destruction upon the planet with relentless precision.

In a matter of moments, the city, along with the rest of the planet, was reduced to naught but ashes and rubble, its inhabitants left to perish amidst the ruins of their once proud civilization. And as the smoke cleared and the echoes of destruction faded into the silence of space, all that remained was the haunting memory of a world lost to the merciless onslaught of alien invaders.

U.S.C.S HORIZON 1441 hours

The lone surviving ship, battered and on the brink of collapse, emerged from the depths of space like a wounded bird struggling to stay aloft. Its hull was riddled with scorch marks and fissures, a testament to the harrowing battles it had endured. Jagged edges protruded from the damaged sections, resembling scars etched upon its metallic skin.

The ship's engines sputtered and coughed, emitting plumes of black smoke that mingled with the twinkling stars. Its once-glistening exterior was now dulled and tarnished, bearing the weight of the relentless pursuit it had endured. The once-majestic emblem emblazoned on the ship's side had been marred, its intricate details barely recognizable under the layers of grime and battle scars.

Inside the ship's cockpit, the pilot fought to maintain control. Sweat dripped down their forehead, mingling with the dust and debris that had settled in the cramped space. The radar screen flickered intermittently; its damaged sensors were barely able to register any signals amidst the chaos of space. And then, a faint blip caught their attention—the faint transponder signal S1195 of the U.S.C.S HORIZON.

With a surge of hope, the pilot maneuvered the ship towards the source of the signal, their trembling hands gripping the controls. The ship lurched and swayed, its damaged systems protesting against the strain. The pilot's heart raced as they transmitted a distress call, their voice laden with desperation and urgency.

"U.S.C.S HORIZON, this is Captain Reynolds of the Starlight Avenger. Emergency landing requested. We are critically damaged and require immediate assistance."

Within the command center of the U.S.S. HORIZON, Captain Nikko's eyes widened as he heard the desperate plea over the communication system. He leaned forward in his chair, his gaze fixed on the blip indicating the approaching ship.

"Starlight Avenger, this is Captain Nikko of the U.S.C.S HORIZON. We read you loud and clear. You have our authorization for an emergency landing. Prepare for immediate clearance. Standby."

Captain Reynolds, his voice filled with relief, responded quickly, "Thank you, Captain Nikko. We are eternally grateful. Standby for our arrival."

As the damaged ship drew closer, the U.S.S. HORIZON's starboard side hangar opened wide, its metallic doors retracting with a resounding hum. The interior of the hangar came into view—a vast expanse of metal and technology, lit by the soft glow of artificial lighting.

The pilots of the Starlight Avenger, their fingers trembling, steered the ship with a mix of skill and desperation. The vessel shuddered and groaned, protesting against the forces that threatened to tear it apart. With a final burst of energy, the ship made a chaotic crash landing inside the hangar, its landing gear snapping under the strain.

Alarms blared, warning lights flashed, and crew members scrambled to secure the area. Sparks flew as the damaged ship skidded across the hangar floor, leaving a trail of scorch marks in its wake. The sound of grinding metal reverberated through the air, a symphony of destruction and survival.

Captain Nikko, with a stern expression and a hint of admiration in his eyes, watched as the ship came to a rest. He spoke into the shipwide intercom, his voice projecting with authority.

"Medical team, engineering team, and fire teams, to hangar Charlie. We have survivors in need of immediate assistance. Let's show them the compassion of the U.S.C.S HORIZON."

As the medical and engineering teams rushed to aid the beleaguered survivors, the fire teams hurriedly began containing the fires. 

And within the battered hull of the Starlight Avenger, the crew clung to life, their gratitude mingling with the pain and exhaustion that consumed them. They had found refuge in the embrace of the U.S.C.S HORIZON, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the universe.

U.S.C.S HORIZON Chowhall; 1441 Hours

Multiple cheerful voices filled the chow hall as everyone was happily enjoying their measly one-hour break from class. Then at almost the drop of a hat, the once loud and bustling chow hall came to a stop as their normally silent alarm suddenly blared with a shrill, ear-piercing wail, echoing through the corridors of the U.S.S. HORIZON. It was a cacophony of urgency, a relentless assault on the senses that demanded immediate attention. The alarm could be described as a piercing "WEEE-OOO, WEEE-OOO," a repeated sequence of high-pitched tones that cut through the air, amplifying the urgency of the situation. The normal white florescent lights that filled the halls were replaced by the flashing red lights followed by the seemingly calm and collected voice echoed throughout the halls.

"MEDICAL TEAM, ENGINEERING TEAM, AND FIRE TEAMS TO HANGAR CHARLIE. WE HAVE SURVIVORS IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. LET'S SHOW THEM THE COMPASSION OF THE U.S.C.S HORIZON."

Almost immediately the sound of heavy stomping metallic armored boots filled the halls as multiple teams at the order of their Commander began racing towards the hangar.

Linus, Titania, and Adrianna had just received the trays and sat down when the next even more heart-breaking order came over the intercom.

"ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL OF THE U.S.S. HORIZON. THIS IS CAPTAIN NIKKO SPEAKING. DUE TO THE CURRENT EMERGENCY SITUATION, I AM ISSUING IMMEDIATE ORDERS FOR ALL STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PERSONNEL IN NON-ESSENTIAL SHIP-MAINTAINING ROLES TO RETURN TO THEIR LIVING QUARTERS AND AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. MARTIAL LAW IS NOW IN EFFECT ABOARD THE SHIP. I WILL NOW PROVIDE A DETAILED LIST OF THE NON-MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL REQUIRED TO RETIRE TO THEIR QUARTERS IMMEDIATELY:

STUDENTS: ALL STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF GRADE OR PROGRAM, ARE TO CEASE ALL ACTIVITIES AND PROCEED DIRECTLY TO THEIR ASSIGNED LIVING QUARTERS. TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTORS WILL ENSURE THEIR SAFE RETURN.

ACADEMIC STAFF: ALL TEACHERS, PROFESSORS, AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN SHIP MAINTENANCE OR ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS ARE TO LEAVE THEIR WORKSTATIONS AND REPORT TO THEIR LIVING QUARTERS. PLEASE GATHER ANY NECESSARY EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND SECURE THEM SAFELY.

ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL: ALL ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MEMBERS, INCLUDING SECRETARIES, CLERKS, AND PERSONNEL RESPONSIBLE FOR NON-CRITICAL SHIP FUNCTIONS, ARE TO CEASE THEIR DUTIES AND MAKE THEIR WAY TO THEIR ASSIGNED QUARTERS. ENSURE ALL CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS ARE PROPERLY SECURED.

MEDICAL STAFF: ALL MEDICAL PERSONNEL, INCLUDING DOCTORS, NURSES, AND SUPPORT STAFF, INVOLVED IN NON-EMERGENCY TREATMENTS OR ROUTINE CHECK-UPS ARE TO CONCLUDE THEIR CURRENT TASKS AND RETURN TO THEIR LIVING QUARTERS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION, BUT AT THIS TIME, WE REQUIRE YOUR PRESENCE IN YOUR DESIGNATED AREAS.

RESEARCH TEAM: ALL RESEARCHERS, SCIENTISTS, AND THEIR ASSISTANTS INVOLVED IN NON-CRITICAL EXPERIMENTS OR DATA ANALYSIS MUST HALT THEIR CURRENT WORK AND PROCEED TO THEIR LIVING QUARTERS. ENSURE ALL SENSITIVE RESEARCH MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT ARE PROPERLY STORED AND SECURED.

RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT STAFF: ALL PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN ORGANIZING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, ENTERTAINMENT, OR NON-ESSENTIAL LEISURE PROGRAMS ARE TO SUSPEND THEIR DUTIES AND RETIRE TO THEIR LIVING QUARTERS. PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL RECREATIONAL AREAS ARE CLOSED AND SECURED.

SUPPORT AND SERVICES PERSONNEL: ALL STAFF MEMBERS RESPONSIBLE FOR NON-ESSENTIAL SHIP SERVICES SUCH AS FOOD PREPARATION, CLEANING, AND MAINTENANCE OF NON-ESSENTIAL AREAS ARE TO CONCLUDE THEIR TASKS AND RETURN TO THEIR LIVING QUARTERS. ENSURE ALL NECESSARY EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY STORED.

THESE MEASURES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL PERSONNEL ABOARD THE U.S.C.S HORIZON. I UNDERSTAND THE DISRUPTION THIS MAY CAUSE, BUT OUR CURRENT SITUATION REQUIRES STRICT ADHERENCE TO THESE ORDERS. FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

REMEMBER, WE ARE A UNITED COMMUNITY, AND TOGETHER, WE WILL OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE. STAY VIGILANT, SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, AND TRUST IN THE RESILIENCE OF OUR CREW. CAPTAIN NIKKO, OUT."

1 Week Later

"Linus, I know you're in there somewhere, come here!"

"What do you want now?" Linus asks looking at the liquid-type black shadow floating across from him.

"Can you feel it?"

"Feel what?"

"It's starting."

"What's starting?"

"Ehehehehehe. Order is soon to be returned to the universe."

"Huuh?" Linus asks raising an eyebrow and looking up at him.

"Just wait. Soon you'll be coming to me and begging for more, hell, even my full power. I suggest you ramp up the training if you wanna keep me contained."

Linus watches as the shadow dissipates and then the sound of rustling wakes him up. He rubs his eye and looks over to find his common visitor.

"Dinner is on the counter." He says returning to what he was doing.

"Thanks." She says cheerfully heading towards the small kitchen. As she walked past, he slowly opened and closed his right hand. "This shit kinda hurts." He thinks to himself.

Captain Nikko stood in the command center of the U.S.C.S HORIZON, his gaze fixed on Captain Reynolds, one of the survivor of the Starlight Avenger, as he awaited the detailed account of the events that had unfolded. The room was filled with an air of anticipation, the weight of tragedy and desperation palpable.

Captain Reynolds, his face etched with exhaustion and determination, stood before Captain Nikko, his voice steady as he began recounting the harrowing tale.

"Captain Nikko, our fleet was conducting routine operations in the outer regions of the Epsilon Arrendondas XIV System; Quadrant Foxtrot-9-Whiskey," Captain Reynolds began. "We were a convoy of ten ships, carrying supplies and resources to a distant colony. Everything seemed normal, just another day in space."

His eyes reflected the pain and loss as he continued, his voice tinged with sorrow. "But then, out of nowhere, we were ambushed by an unknown enemy. Their ships appeared, swift and merciless, launching a surprise attack. We had no time to react."

Captain Reynolds paused, gathering his thoughts, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and regret. "Our fleet fought back, desperately trying to defend ourselves, but they were monsters. Their firepower overwhelmed us. Ship after ship was torn apart, and chaos engulfed our ranks."

He took a deep breath, the memory of the devastating battle still fresh in his mind. "In the chaos, our communications systems were crippled, our radar malfunctioned. We were left drifting, disoriented, with no way to coordinate a defense or establish contact with other survivors."

Captain Reynolds' voice grew resolute as he continued. "We knew that our only chance for survival was to flee. Under Executive Order 223, the fleet killed all systems, and over loaded their warp drives destroying themselves so we could have time to activate our emergency warp drives, randomly jumping through space, hoping to find safety or assistance. Our ship sustained severe damage during these warp jumps, and our radar system was rendered nearly useless."

His eyes met Captain Nikko's, conveying the desperation they had faced. "For days, we wandered through the vastness of space, our resources dwindling, our hope fading. It was then, on the brink of despair, that we picked up the faint transponder signal of the U.S.C.S HORIZON. It was our beacon of hope, the glimmer of salvation in the darkness."

Captain Reynolds paused; his voice laden with gratitude. "Captain Nikko, I cannot express the relief we felt when we found you. You opened your hangar, providing us with the opportunity for an emergency landing. It was a crash landing, but we made it. We made it here, to safety."

Captain Nikko listened intently, his expression a mix of empathy and determination. He extended a hand towards Captain Reynolds, offering a gesture of support. "Captain Reynolds, I commend your leadership and the resilience of your crew. You have faced unimaginable challenges, and yet you have endured. We will do everything in our power to assist and support you and your surviving crew members. You are now under the protection of the U.S.C.S HORIZON, and should we encounter the forces you spoke of, we will avenge your fallen comrades."

"I pray that's the case." He says slightly hopeful, though after witnessing the alien fleet's overwhelming power first-hand, he doubted even with the most technologically advanced warship like the HORIZON, they would fall against that monstrosity.

Epsilon Arrendondas XIV System; Quadrant Foxtrot-9-Whiskey; Aftermath of the Starlight Avengers escape

A few hours after the devastating aftermath of Commander Jadulad'am's attack on the human fleet, the command center of his alien flagship was a hive of activity. The crew members worked diligently, each fulfilling their duties with unwavering precision. Jadulad'am, seated on his imposing throne-like chair, surveyed the scene before him, his iridescent eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"Commander, our search parties have completed their scans of the debris-laden battlefield," reported one of his officers, a tall, insectoid being with multifaceted eyes. "There were no signs of any human survivors. The fleet has been successfully neutralized."

Jadulad'am nodded solemnly, acknowledging the report. He had expected nothing less from his highly trained and efficient crew. Despite the success of their mission, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of remorse for the lives lost during the battle. But in the vastness of the cosmos, such encounters were inevitable, and he reminded himself of the greater purpose that drove him and his fleet.

"Now," Jadulad'am announced, his voice carrying authority, "we focus on the surviving human vessel. We must not allow any loose ends."

As he spoke, elegant ships known as "Scout Probes" were deployed from the alien flagship. These small, sleek vessels were equipped with state-of-the-art technology and advanced sensors that made them ideal for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Each Scout Probe resembled a crystalline teardrop, its surface adorned with intricate fractal patterns that shimmered with ethereal light.

The Scout Probes soared through space, navigating the debris-laden battlefield with grace and agility. Their energy-efficient propulsion systems emitted a soft, pulsating hum that resonated with the harmony of the cosmos. As they surveyed the area, they meticulously gathered data and transmitted it back to the alien flagship.

Using the collected data, Commander Jadulad'am's crew embarked on a formidable task—tracking the escaped human vessel through warp space. Warp space, a phenomenon well understood by advanced civilizations, was a theoretical realm beyond the ordinary dimensions of space. It allowed ships to achieve faster-than-light travel, enabling them to traverse vast distances in a fraction of the time.

To track the human vessel's warp space jump, the alien fleet deployed a complex network of spatial-anomaly detectors. These detectors utilized the principle of quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where two particles become linked and mirror each other's behavior regardless of distance.

The Scout Probes relayed the spatial coordinates of the human vessel's last known location, and the alien fleet set about initiating a quantum entanglement link between the detectors and the ship. By creating a connection between particles on the human vessel and particles within the detectors, the alien fleet could ascertain the ship's movement through warp space.

The data analysis took time, as the calculations involved vast amounts of computational power. But Commander Jadulad'am knew that patience and precision were essential in such endeavors. The ship's movements were gradually traced, pinpointing the trajectory of its warp space jump with remarkable accuracy.

"Commander," reported the chief scientist, a being of pure energy, "we have successfully tracked the human vessel's jump through warp space. They are heading towards a neighboring star system."

Jadulad'am's eyes glinted with determination. "Prepare the fleet. We shall pursue them relentlessly. We cannot allow them to escape our grasp."