Chapter 1 – The Entrance
--On board the Ecaz--
"Damage report" Admiral Brian ordered as he watched the blast plates move off the viewport. They had exited foldspace after one of the roughest journey's that he had ever experienced As the blast plates fished moving he could see that his ship and the rest of the fleet were now in orbit of a gas giant.
"The fleet reports minimal damage and casualties sir." A Lieutenant replied.
Acknowledging the report, Brian headed towards the rear of the bridge and asked the navigation station, "Where are we?"
"Unknown sir." was the reply "I think the navicomps are malfunctioning after the ride through slipspace. I'm running a diagnostic to see what's wrong. It should be finished soon sir." The screen in front of the first-lieutenant flashed. "Well speak of the Tyrant."
Looking at the screen, the Admiral said, "Well the navicomp is fine so, where are we?"
"Sir" said the officer shakily while gesturing to the starchart displayed on the screen. "The problem is that the navicomp can't find where we are with certainty. Certain stars are not where they should be, while others are not present at all. The only stars that I can find that are where they should be are the ones for Beta Centarum, Ecaz and Rakis."
"Very well, lieutenant" Turning towards Micheal he asked quietly. "Any ideas?"
"Sir, with the data at hand, I cannot be sure."
"Well guess."
"There are only two theories that I know of that could fit the events. Either we have traveled through time or we aren't in our own universe anymore. Both are theories that are still being researched back on Ecaz and in the old Imperium. None have been proven though, the amount of variables went into the millions." Micheal told the Admiral in a toneless voice of a mentat in his realm.
"Well at least they can't find us here." Brian whispered quietly to himself.
--Bene Gesserit Command Ship, Taskforce Ecaz--
The Reverend Mother Kethve Siave quietly observed Captain Setros go about his work of trailing the Ecazian fleet to wherever it was heading. She was more confused by the composition of her 'taskforce' For some reason it had been decided that over 40 ships were needed to follow the Ecazian fleet. And several other ships tracking portions of the ships that had arrived here they had been attached to her command. She kept having a sense of foreboding from her other memories and she knew she wouldn't like the reason when she learnt it.
"Sir, The Ecaz is transmitting a message in the clear. I'm putting it through to the bridge speakers now. An officer said.
"Affirmative"
"...ch numbers. Once again we have gathered to protect ourselves from harm. Recently, families loyal to house Ecaz have returned from the scattering. They bring proof of an approaching tempest that will destroy House Ecaz and the remnants of the Imperium." He paused to allow those in the fleet a small respite, continuing, "The factions wielding the power of death wish to destroy us. My father the Hon. Duke Simon Ecaz decided to order a significant portion of the entire star navy to escape into the uncharted territories where we can make use of the anonymity to escape and continue our lives. We will blaze a new trail for mankind and we will prosper after each challenge that we face. All ships, prepare to jump in one hour with the co-ordinates provided by your commanders."
A few minutes later the comms officer informed the Captain "Sir, the jump co-ordinates have been received from the agent in the Ecazian fleet, they have been inputted into the navigator."
"Affirmative, after they jump, follow them in." the Captain ordered.
--UNSC Station Fryberg--
Another day, another death thought the commanding officer of the Fryberg, Commander Johann, as he approached the CnC. Entering it he took over from the 'night' shift and sat down to get some paperwork done. Heh, even when we are at the edge of extinction, there is still paperwork to be done he thought.
The command center was the safest part on the Fortress class starbase. Nestled near the reactors the room was full of moniters. The front wall was covered in a large screen. In the center there was a dais where the commanding officer was seated.
About 5 minutes after Commander Johann started, General Quarters alarms started blaring. Turning to the sensor station he shouted, "What the hell is going on?"
"Sir, hundreds of contacts have just appeared in orbit of K33!" screamed the sensor chief.
"Show me."
The main display suddenly flashed and the image of an alien fleet appeared onscreen.
"Initiate the Cole Protocol now!" shouted Commander Johann "Arm all weapons and prepare the Super MAC's but do NOT open fire. Those ships do not fit any Covenant silhouettes known. Initiate First Contact protocols" Spinning around to the holo tub on his desk, Johann said, "Joan, I need an analysis and suggestions right now."
The holo tub winked on and the image of a young girl in armor plating with logic symbols racing up and down her shield appeared.
"Sir, I agree with your analysis that the ships that have just appeared are not Covenant. I suggest launching a single communications drone towards, but not straight at the alien fleet." Said Joan.
"Agreed. Weapons control. Launch a single comms drone towards the alien fleet and route all attempts for communication through it."
"Aye, aye sir" replied the ensign.
"Comm's, inform Fleet Command of our situation and send them a data dump." Ordered Commander Johann.
Glancing at the tactical display, Johann saw the drone symbol slowly head towards the alien fleet. All he could do now was wait and hope.
