Chapter 8 :

Low Orbit, Maradisaè, 3rd of March 2119.

Starfort Eta, Long Range Radar Centre

Time, 09:43

Starfort Captain Darrak Frostbeard

"Captain," said the operator, a stocky Darudain, "We 'ave a contact."

The Captain half lay on his chair, with his stubby feet on the control surface. His helm was over his eyes. He woke with a start.

"Bring it up." ordered the Captain, his great silver beard twitching as he spoke.

The screen befor him lit up, showing his home planet, along with the defense grid surrounding it : 27 defense clusters, each including a Starfort and multiple defense platforms.

"Tha' close..." he wondered.

Horror came over him as he watched the screen update before his eyes. A black hole was forming just before his eyes, so close to the planet he was sure if it got any larger it would annihilate their entire species.

It suddenly stopped growing. He stared at it for a minute, dumbstruck, before realising there were imperfections in the seamless orb that made the black hole.

Small parts, detaching themselves from the black hole.

Not a black hole, he realised, a wormhole.

Someone was coming through.

"Raise the alarm!" he yelled, "All action groups, battlestations."

There was a rush as everyone hastened to do as they were told. Gunners loaded their weapons, the Starfort's core was accelerated until it reached critical speeds, projecting a shield of impact-deflecting energy particles. Ships were crewed, and soldiers armed themselves.

A storm was brewing.