2021 - EFY DOLGH MOTHERSHIP 000 - UNKNOWN LOCATION
Needless to say the original Efy Dolgh mothership was daunting, and so were the beings that occupied it. Every one on board was covered in some form of decorated armor, whether it was light or heavy, and they never revealed their faces. Coming in many different shapes and forms, they almost seemed unnatural. Whatever their race truly was, there was only one word that came to mind; eerie.
Much like the mothership that invaded Earth, this one also held a room full of commanding officers. But there was one figure who stood out among them, and he was heavily embellished and was flourished in color. He was their monarch and he radiated authority, along with evil. He was reserved at the moment, while a discussion was well underway..
"Was the attack successful?"
"Our reports show everything was decimated."
"This isn't what I thought we agreed upon."
"It's not an inhabited planet, that was our reasoning behind the attack."
"I'd say it was a waste of our resources. What will we gain from this?"
"Knowledge is power, power is the key to our existence. We don't know what they were doing there or what their plans are. Our last disclosure said they're highly intelligent, why else has it taken this long to take over their planet?"
"This isn't about how intelligent or advanced they are, this is about protecting our species."
The arguments among the members continued to escalate, their voices reaching many octaves. Their leader continued to listen, and the others didn't seem to notice that he was quite bored with the whole discussion.
"Enough." He barely raised his voice, but the room went unnaturally quiet after he spoke. "What a trivial matter this is, and yet you argue with your brethren. You're letting the humans place doubt and insecurities in your mind. Have you forgotten what we are and what we have accomplished over the centuries?" He stood, his figure formidable. He could even make the largest creature in the world feel inferior. "What is done, is done. We are one step closer to my new arrangement and that is annihilating Earth altogether. I will not deal with their resistance any longer. Now, bring me directive officer 4096."
Every one in the room went still as he demanded the officer to be brought in, who originally created and gave orders to the Gezonreko Unit. When the king ordered someone in the room, they never left the same, or alive for that matter.
November 2021 - KSO Ship
Once more the chief officers were gathered in the conference room to discuss the unidentified object found on Mars. Its been three days since discovering the 'artifact' and no one still had an idea of what it was. Without having the research dome there on Mars, the task would be proven even more difficult. Tensions were already running high and with the rumors of it being from Efy Dolgh, thoughts of their mission proving to be successful were plummeting.
"We're not exactly staffed or equipped to be studying this artifact. We're a rescue team, not a research one." Jake argued with his father, the captain.
"This may not have been planned, but this is what's more important at the moment. We need answers and I need you and your team to give them to me. Earth is sending reinforcements as we speak, but that's a month out." The captain argued back, staring his son down. Jake slammed his fists against the table and stood.
"This could well be a suicide mission for the team, we can't afford that." Jake said through gritted teeth. Everyone else in the room now felt slightly uncomfortable and wanted to be anywhere else but there, between a father and son squabble.
"Bloody hell, boy, I don't have any other options. Our priority is finding out what the hell that object is and whether it's a threat to us. Your men need to get answers and Sophie's team needs to be prepared for the worst." The captain remained in his seat, but his stare turned cold. Yukina wasn't sure how long time passed that way, the two Borden men staring each other down and how long everyone held their breaths.
"Just remember, this is on you." Jake gave the table one last thump before heading towards the door. He ignored the stares and slammed the door on his way out. Everyone let out shaky breaths. Yukina didn't like the idea that Jake thought something would eventually go wrong.
"My son does have a point. Until the extra personnel arrive, we're all taking on extra duties. Now that word has spread that this could very well be from Efy Dolgh, crew members are starting to doubt our mission. We may be equipped for battle, but many of us are expecting to not start one." Leaning back in his chair, the captain now looked weary.
"From what we know about the Efy Dolgh, they're strategy for attack is with their geoframes. This could be a fragment of one or could be something else entirely. We'll all lose hope if we start playing the 'what if' game. The faster we get answers, the better we can manage people on board from losing that hope." Sophie calmly said, looking around at everyone in the room. Yukina still felt troubled.
"Excellent point, Sophie. We won't add our own concerns with the others and instead we need to build their morale. The more confident we are, the less likely we'll have a riot." The captain then rose from his chair and gave a curt nod for everyone in the room. "You're all dismissed."
Everyone started to leave the room while caught up in their own thoughts. Yukina was pulled aside by the captain as the room cleared out.
"We need you now more than ever, Yukina. You're one of the few that know exactly what we're up against and we have that to our advantage. I'm entrusting this project to you." The captain gave her a warm smile to ease her growing fear. That wasn't exactly what she wanted to hear right now. She wanted and needed Kennosuke, now more than ever.
"I'll do my best, Captain." Yukina hoped she returned a comforting smile back. The Captain gave her an encouraging nod before leaving.
Grasping her vial, she stared intently at the blood asking for it to give her a fraction of confidence Kennosuke always seemed to have. Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing sound from her communication device.
"Incoming call. Jake Borden."
Great. It wasn't bad enough that Captain Borden put all his faith in her capabilities while the other Borden thought she lacked them. She was beginning to think she'd rather be back with Tom Borden instead of these two, at least he didn't have any high expectations from her like these two seem to have.
"Accept." Yukina let out a long sigh.
"Yukina, we're going down in twenty, I need you and Mars here in ten." His hologram even projected his anger well. Before she could give any reply, he had ended the call. That really annoyed her.
She met him in thirteen minutes instead of ten, just to spite him. A vein was threatening to burst on his forehead once she appeared and she considered that a small victory. Yukina knew he wasn't truly annoyed with her, though, but more so of the situation they were put in.
"We're going down to help our research team excavate the relic, Sophie and the other pilots are going to continue their search for any other missing pieces if there are any." Jake lead them to their frame and whistled their pod down. "Be ready to clock in long hours." He rolled his already aching shoulders forwards and backwards before entering the pod.
"Could this get any worse..." Yukina grumbled, her shoulders sagging slightly before following suit.
November 2021 - Mars - Nine Hours Later...
Yukina and Jake worked tirelessly to help their small research team extract the unidentified object. Casualties occurred, but thankfully no fatalities. With their team growing smaller, their time frame of solving this problem would straggle on. Something Yukina wasn't happy about.
With the help of the other pilots, they were able to successfully put the relic on an unused GAUS transport trailer. Although it laid awkwardly on it, it would give the research team better access to study all parts of it. Now the real question was,
"What is it?" Jake asked Yukina as he moved the frame closer to inspect the object. Mars was already outside, scanning it further.
"How should I know?" She snapped, both hungry and tired. As relieved as she was to finally get this part of the job done, she wanted nothing more than to eat and sleep and worry about this part later. "It doesn't look like a pivot stone, so your guess is as good as mine."
"Is that what they use to open a portal between worlds?"
"Yes. Although it doesn't look like the one found on Earth, this could still be something similar."
A beeping sound was heard inside their pod. It was the Captain calling. Yukina could hear Jake grind his teeth.
"Jake, Yukina, can you hear me?"
"Yes, Captain." Yukina called out a few seconds after Jake gave no reply. Apparently he was going to ignore him.
"What's your status?"
"We've successfully extracted the piece, sir, although, we can't provide you with any further answers."
"Job well done, then. Phase One has been accomplished and we'll begin Phase Two in forty-eight hours. You and your team are dismissed until then, thank you." He disconnected and Yukina released another long sigh. She noticed she had been doing that a lot lately..
"Cheeky bastard," Jake mumbled out and waited for Mars to re-enter the frame before heading towards the designated beaming spot. All the other pilots followed suit, reporting nothing new on their scavenger hunt.
"Honestly, how long will you and your father continue this... well, whatever you want to call it." Yukina asked, agitated.
"Don't worry about it, this is between us." He replied softly, not indulging her any further. Yukina would normally have pressed for more answers but she was too exhausted to bother.
As they were sent back up, another team was sent down to place a temporary dome over the relic and to keep it secure until their team came back down in two days time. No one was happy about the overtime, but nothing could be done about that. Yukina just hoped this distraction wouldn't have a big impact when they eventually reached Chi-1. The sooner they got there, the better, but this new development caused her nothing but worry and grief. Was this a sign that things went wrong for Kennosuke, Muetta and Zell?
November 2021 - Intergalactic Syndicate Headquarters near Chi-1
The month of October, or whatever the Orgre's called their months, for Chi-1 would forever be a victory celebration. The SEA was proven to be successful, freeing many who were infected by the parasites. While many survived, there was a small number who did not. Their lives would never be forgotten for monuments, mausoleums and cenotaphs would be built for the many who had either died fighting, or died while being influenced.
Zelleager was hailed a liberator and received many gifts for his heroism. Many even wanted him to begin ruling over their new lives but he declined the offer. He was far too old and tired to lead them but he would, however, help appoint one.
While it would take several years for them to rebuild their society, they couldn't have been happier to just be alive. And with the help of the Intergalactic Syndicate, they would now have the technology and manpower to protect their home planet from any new invasions. There was also no short supply of volunteers to help protect their planet, and soon, a militia was born.
While Zell wanted nothing more than to be back home to grieve in peace for the family he lost, he still had unanswered questions. Even after everything he went through, his mission was far from over. He would continue to be a part of the syndicate and give his life to answering those questions. He still had much to offer, and it wouldn't feel right to leave those who still have people and homes to save. There was also one person who needed his help more than ever, and he wouldn't abandon his friend in his time of need...
Zell had stepped in to a small office that was currently occupied by two doctors. They were having a whispered conversation but stopped immediately as soon as he stepped inside. One of them was of the Batrin race and the other a Feng.
"Zelleager, we appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with us." The Batrin, named Vyrte, spoke telepathically.
"Yes, we have good news for you-prr." A female Feng, named Lucia, purred out. Her black fur made the blue in her eyes stand out.
"I am never too busy for what you two have to say. But, where is Muetta? Should she be here?"
"She is waiting for us as we speak. Come, let us go see them." Lucia gestured for them to all exit the room and lead them to a separate medical wing.
The wing was full of medical personnel and advisers who were currently busy attending to those who needed medical attention. The open medical floor was for those who weren't in critical condition, while those who were, were in separate rooms located down a hallway. There were ten emergency rooms but only one was occupied at the moment.
All three stepped into a massive, lightly lit room that contained a large bio-conveyance tank in the center of said room. The liquid contents in the tank contained internal nano-machines that are activated to maintain the host in a state of suspended animation. Inside the tank was Kennosuke, who wore a breathing mask that covered half his face and sensors connected to cords that were attached across his naked body. His eyes were currently closed and he appeared to be in a serene state.
Muetta turned from her spot in front of the tank to watch the three of them head towards her. She looked a little worse for wear but her eyes brightened at the sight of Zell.
"It's been quite some time since I've seen you. How is everything going on your home planet?" Muetta asked as soon as they all reached her.
"Given the circumstances, quite well. They're ready to begin new lives and learn from their mistakes. It'll take centuries, but moving forward is the best step to recovery." Zell turned his eyes to Kennosuke and they darkened. "What he has done for them will never be forgotten, and I will forever be in his debt."
"You can say that to him as soon as he wakes." Muetta placed a warm hand on his arm while Zell continued to look uncertain.
"We have brought you here to tell you good news. Thanks to the nano-machines in his body, he is healing quite exponentially. If he were a regular human the electrical pulse would have likely killed him." Vyrte said behind him. He was gazing at Kennosuke's form thoughtfully.
"It is extraordinary, what he is capable of surviving. Even our studies over the last few years have shown we have much to learn about these nano-machines. As much as we dislike the Efy Dolgh, this technology is by far superior of its kind-purr." Lucia placed a dark furry paw upon the glass and looked at Kennosuke wistfully.
The room was silent for a moment as everyone gazed at Kennosuke with a myriad of emotions.
"Has he been awake at all?" Zell finally asked and only Vyrte turned his eyes towards him.
"He has not, but his brain activity shows he is consciously aware. He may even be listening to our conversation as we speak."
"He won't be in this state forever, Zell, and as soon as he does wake, we'll continue what we've started." Muetta curled her hands into small fists by her side. Her hopeful gaze turning vengeful.
"Ah, about that Muetta," Lucia pulled out a piece of paper from her lab cloak and handed it to her. "This is the reason we have brought both of you here. While he is alive and physically well, there is something minor that we discovered while giving him a brain scan. This could very well be life altering-purr."
Both Muetta and Zell looked over the contents and it wasn't until they reached the end that they understood what she meant. Muetta and Zell looked at one another and were both at a loss for words. This may or may not change anything but Muetta felt the seed of doubt beginning to grow inside of her. And worse, her heart ached for both Kennosuke and Yukina if this were true.