Whispering in the dark.

Arkan-tar stood in front of the mirror smiling with satisfaction. Its surface was smooth, with no reflection. Hungry Moon Mirror, as it was called. An ancient artifact from centuries ago, built by an ancient, now extinct race. So the standard in his work. He practiced applied archeology, called by outsiders the robbing of graves and the theft of relics . He touched the mirror and whispered softly in the aklo.

- Through nothingness together

The mirror flashed and he saw the conference room of the battleship Glory of the Fallen, the flagship of the Research and Exploration Fleet. The room was beautifully decorated but not overwhelmingly lavish. it was almost cozy here . There was a similar mirror on the other side. Several people stayed in the conference room. The first and most important of these was Lord Admiral Antares. A tall and well-built man, he wore an elegant dress uniform. One eye was pale blue, as if glowing with a cold light. The second was cybernetic with an outer lens. His face was handsome but slightly asymmetrical. It was a memento of the gunshot that almost killed him. He was clean shaven and his dark red hair was cut short.

- Hello Arkan and Lady Calo, - he said to the twenty-year-old girl standing in the other mirror. She had long blond hair and deep blue eyes. She was dressed in a white dress with a deep cut so it wouldn't interfere with her jogging. At her side she wore an sword with an ornate hilt. On her finger was a ring with a red jewel cut through with green metal veins. Around her neck she wore medalion with a clasp, which probably contained a picture of a loved one. Lady Cala Grayskull bowed courtly.

- Also hello to all gathered. - She said in a beautiful melodious voice.

- I hope your journey was peaceful, - the Lord Admiral asked in a formal tone.

- The beginnings were good, but we were attacked by pirates in orbit Saltmarh. Only me and Miss Daisy survived, but we had to make an emergency landing and our ship is severly damaged. We need a new… - said the aristocrat in a gentle voice. Antares nodded.

- We will discuss this issue later. But first we must introduce ourselves and discuss the matters for which we are gathered here, he said, and pointed the man to his right. He was tall, with short hair, and somewhat androgynous features. He wore a well-groomed uniform, and his face was overly serious.

- This is Commander Reese, my right hand, - the admiral said.

- And I'm his left, better hand. Or, more officially, an information and intelligence officer. Call me Lady Ka, 'said a rather short woman with an emerald-decorated mask over the right half of her face. She was pale, her pupils were dilated, and she was smiling menacingly with one half of her mouth. Antares grunted and pointed to another woman. She was dressed in a scarlet cloak with a hood. Only the lower pale half of the face was visible. The face was beautiful, but the woman emanate an aura of fear. She twirled a finger around a lock of fiery red hair.

-This is Lady Sorrowflame. Our science and technology officer, "said the Lord Admiral, and the woman bowed and said.

- Indeed, it was nice meeting you.

The last person introduced himself.

- On behalf of the Order of the Eclipse, I have come to fulfill the mission given to me by the Lictor himself. I am the Lady of the Blades of Asindes Di Vir, said the tall woman with golden hair, clad in the armor of the knights of hell with the crest of the Order on her breast. The coat of arms depicted the sun during an eclipse. She was a beautiful and well-built woman in her forties. There was an acid scar on her cheek. At her belt she wore an archeotechnical sword in a slightly too small scabbard,

Lady Ka chuckled hearing Asindesa's words, but the Lord Admiral motioned for her to remain silent

- Now that we've introduced ourselves, lets me remind you of the reason why we're here.- Antares began in a serious tone. - Five years ago there was a terrible event. Many planets, from Vescariuum to the Pact Worlds, have fallen victim to the attack. From the center of the Ravaged Zone, a signal was emitted that appeared to be the beginning of the activation of weapons of unimaginable power that not only was able to wipe out entire planets and their trillions of inhabitants, but possibly wipe them out of reality. A few months later, the whole thing happened again. As we can all guess, it caused a great stir among the rulers, although the public did not find out about anything. It was discovered that a previously unknown planet had appeared in place where the signal came from. Originally, it was decided to send there a joint vesk - pact flotilla to pacify or permanently destroy this place. However, there were some obvious difficulties. First of all, this planet is located in the so-called Ravaged Zone, an area of the galaxy hitherto unexplored, from where no signals are coming. Most of the expeditions sent there did not return, and the few that did bring disturbing news. Legends of white demons and such tales. By analyzing the structure of the Ravaged Zone, the scientists guessed that this was the area of the Swarm's operation. I do not intend to argue with this thesis, but the fact is that the area is devoid of drift transmitters, which makes any exploration of it with a large navy seems extremely difficult. For several years, policymakers thought about what to do with this new and completely unknown threat, until two people found a solution to most of the problems. The first was Lady Cala Grayskull of Carurystal, present here - he pointed to the young lady who bowed politely - She is in possession of ancient maps depicting that area. They are said to come from the time of the founder of the family Mara, who is said to have come from that place is called Etheria.

- I should find all these "Seems" and "Apparently" offensive. While it is not certain that the line of Mara has not been broken during all these millennia, the origin of Mara, as well as the nature of Etheri itself, are not in doubt.

The admiral raised his hand in agreement.

- I'm a mercenary and a military man. I do not penetrate into historical and legendary issues. This is where we come to my participation in this entire mission. For the last thirty years, since I was banished from my home planet, I have fought in various conflicts, mainly with a swarm, but also in local conflicts. It has its own fleet, used to operate independently, away from the supply line, outside the command structure. When, thanks to my numerous contacts among representatives of the authorities, I found out about this project, I decided to join it. The government paid me in advance, regardless of the results. So the reason for my presence, and my allies and Lady Caly's, are understandable. Now it is the turn of the explanation of the reason for the presence of Arkkan-tara. He looked significantly at Verthani. Arkan bowed low and said

- We were sent here to be the first to travel deep into the Ravaged Zone. Our first goal is to make sure that this is not an area of swarm activity. In addition, our task will be to determine the route for the fleet to move. We are also supposed to gather all the data on the potential threats that may await us there. After all, if we manage to reach this Etheria, we are to find out, in the most discreet way possible, what threatened the rest of the universe and, if necessary, neutralize this weapon. There is no mention of the fact that we should survive, but that goes without saying ... Or not ... -He smiled grimly.- As I understand it, since Lady Grayskull has lost her ship, our task is also to find a suitable means of transport. I understand that we will get adequate funds to get the ship? - Arkan asked matter-of-factly.

Lord Admiral noded.

- In fact, I thought in advance that the Lady Grayskull vehicle might not meet the requirements of a mission of this rank, so I deposited in hotel where you are staying with a credstick containing half a million credits with the possibility of a loan of up to two million. - Antares bowed apologetically to Lady Caly.

Mrs. Ka chuckled.

- Don't think you can steal it or anything like that. Our tentacles are long indeed and our claws are sharp… - She chuckled again.

- You have to buy or rent a ship that will survive such a difficult journey. It can be difficult in a place like Saltmarsh, but you can count on few outside this planet knowing about the mission. There are forces in the universe that intend to hinder this mission… or overtake us. Discretion is therefore of the utmost importance. You have the papers that you are doing a job for Kemanis University. - The Lord Admiral looked significantly at the Arcana. - Some even worked for him. Pretend to be seekers of ancient knowledge and archaeologists.

- That means graveyard hyenas who are operating legaly - said Mrs. Ka, smiling sarcastically.

- Doctor Qin and his intern will be waiting for you at the docks. You will need them in case you need technical support. The doctor was present at the listening center during the attack, and she knows a lot, a little more than nothing. Then you will find Lady Cala and her guardian, Mrs. Daisy. Next contact through the mirrors will happen tomorrow, when you are all assemble.

Arkana nodded and, touching the mirror, spoke in Aklo

- Nothingness will consume everything.