November 20, 12,327 CE

Kanungu System, Xtandi Sector, Ghorovas Rift Cluster, formerly Union of Earth and Artemis territory, Milky Way Galaxy…

Union of Earth and Artemis, Autonomous Federation of Greater Magellan Special Scout Kino-221 squinted her eyes tensely, as her ship, UEASN Hermes-37 exited faster-than-light transit.

Proximity alarms began to blare as debris filled her viewscreen.

"Hermes, evasive action!" Kino shouted, and the ship began to weave wildly.

Kino breathed a sigh of relief as the ship cleared into an area of empty space. "Hermes, scan for any active signals, any active ships."

She took her ship in a slow arc around the periphery of the debris field, scanning, what used to be Kavar Station, the launching point of Ambrian Traverse Expedition to the Large Magellanic Cloud 268 years ago.

In 12,068 CE, the Union Intelligence Service predicted an impending galactic invasion by an ancient, genocidal race known as the Old Machines within a few years time. Shortly after the Omega Accords managed to end the Terminus Wars and secure a tenuous peace with the Citadel Council, the Union Intelligence Service deployed the top-secret Project Stargazer. Completely unknown to the Union populace at large, Project Stargazer launched a number of arks to several nearby dwarf galaxies, but the number of arks and their precise destinations were not known even by the participants themselves.

The eponymously-named Ambrian Traverse Expedition arrived in the Ambrian Traverse star cluster of the Large Magellanic Cloud in 12,109 CE, and immediately began settling colonies, mass-producing new Androids and Machines, and constructing defensive mass accelerator cannons.

Even though the mission was extremely secretive, it was widely-feared that the Old Machines might come for them as well. However, two centuries passed without any trace of the Old Machines.

Tensions began to fray at the populace, demoralized at the possibility that the last of Humanity might have already perished at the hands- or rather tentacles- of the Old Machines. Disagreements over the administration of the Autonomous Federation of Greater Magellan in the Lagrange Sector led to a rebellion by the Lagrange Democratic Movement, and the establishment of the separatist Republic of Lagrange. A number of other colonies had also began to agitate for greater autonomy, distrusting the leadership of the Federation.

The situation was further complicated when brash Federation colonists expanding into the nearby Gamma Nebula triggered a violent border conflict with an alien race known as the Mensians in 12,297 CE. The fact the Mensians were able to communicate in English during first contact came as quite a surprise.

A surprise that was quickly answered a few weeks into the conflict, when the Mensians called upon their allies- Android allies from the Union Collectivity of Dorado. It was a rude shock that a second Union ark had colonized the Large Magellanic Cloud as well, but it seemed Union Intelligence had intentionally kept the two arks ignorant of each other. And now these two erstwhile Union off-shoots were on the verge of war.

Pondering their options, the Autonomous Federation decided to withdraw from disputed territories with the Mensians, and reach out the Union Collectivity of Dorado. It was decided that in twelve years, on the 200th anniversary of the Expeditions, the Federation and Collectivity would both dispatch scouts back to the Milky Way. No one knew what they would find, but most hoped the Union had survived the Old Machine invasion. If not, recolonizing the Milky Way would be goal, to recover what ruins remained of Humanity's lost civilization, and prepare for the next Old Machine invasion in 50,000 years from now.

After a few hours of weaving through the debris field, the ship's computer issued the results of its search to Kino. "No active signals detected in the debris field. Expanding scan range to system-wide."

"As we thought," The Android muttered darkly to herself. "It's all been destroyed. Let's just hope there's no trace of the Old Machines."

Numerous destroyed ships littered the system- nothing like the photographs Kino had seen of the station taken by the Expedition right before they departed the Milky Way- suggesting there had been a significant battle there. Of course, Kino, having been produced in the Large Magellanic Cloud (specifically the Autonomous Federation of Greater Magellan), and this was her first time visiting the Milky Way. "No sign of the Old Machines, dunno if that's good or bad…" She sighed. "I do hope the Reapers are gone… but it could also mean our weapons are totally ineffective against them… and that would really suck."

"Kino, I am detecting what resembles a Mass Relay signature at the edge of the system," Hermes reported. "It was difficult to confirm at first, but there is a 85% match with a Primary Relay."

"What? According to our data, there wasn't a relay here before the Expedition!"

"The signature is similar, but not entirely the same as a Primary Relay. Recommend further investigation."

"Affirmative. Set course for suspected Relay immediately."

The Hermes-37 turned toward the source of the signature and a quick FTL jump with its Abbas Engine. However, when the vessel dropped back to sublight speed, it realized something was wrong.

An explosion rocked the ship.

"What the heck was that?"

"Proximity nuclear mine. Kinetic barriers at 76%, mine at insufficient range for serious damage. However, possible sensor system triggered."

"Damn it, fall back to the debris field! Just in case…"

The Hermes dashed back to the remains of Kavar Station, and sought out a large piece of debris to provisionally "dock" with.

Thirty minutes later, a heavily-armed frigate-sized capital ship emerged from the Mass Relay.

"So there really are survivors…" Kino muttered, wide-eyed. "But it doesn't look like any frigate in our database. Could it be hostile?"

"It does have a partial match."

"What? Explain!"

"Analyzing unidentified frigate structure. 62% match with Union Anlace-class Frigate. Suggests either highly-modified Anlace or frigate built based on Anlace design."

"Sooo… is it Union? A stolen or commandeered vessel? Some alien race finding an old Union ship and modifying it their needs?"

"No known Union ID transponders present. In fact, I am detecting a broad-spectrum broadcast from the vessel."

"Play it!"

"Understood."

A female voice came through the audio, speaking in English. "…we know you are out there. In the name of the Emperor, surrender immediately and come quietly, or we will find and destroy you. Repeat, this is the ISN Liljevalch of the Holy Star Empire. This is a restricted zone, and we know you are out there. In the name of the Emperor…"

"What the hell is this 'Holy Star Empire'?!" Kino exclaimed to Hermes.

"No known government or political entity is recorded under such a name. Pending further information, contact should be avoided."

"Good idea," Kino nodded. "But we should make a break for it. If we stay here, they might find us if they search hard enough. Let's go. Power up Jacqueline Engines and set a course for Unionport."

"Are you sure you want to proceed to with this course of action? If a hostile power in control of this region, Unionport may be heavily garrisoned."

"Affirmative- it's a risk we have to take. If there is still heavy civilian traffic there, we may be able to blend in. And I want to see if we can make contact with another Magellanic scout."

The small scout vessel powered up its engines, shot clear of the debris, and blasted off at FTL speeds.