The Final Horizon

by Touhoufanatic

Taking a different route of technology, humanity ascends to the stars upon Sails of light with hearts full of hope and adventure. the second Age of Exploration has truly begun, and nothing, not aliens, ancient space squids, or genocidal robots will stop humanity, and perhaps its greatest legend of the seas, from finding the Horizon once more! Rated T for now.

4. Chapter 4

In'irra Tketo let out an exhausted sigh as she sat in the chair of her personal quarters upon the nail of belief. Everything that was happening to her, her ship her crew, it was beyond her paygrade, and beyond anything that her centuries of life had prepared her for.

Finding a race just reaching out to space was one thing. It was highly unlikely, but not impossible considering how the Asari had met the Salarians all those thousands of years ago.

The Batarian 'pirates' finding them at the same time was another thing. It was by no means a coincidence, meaning that pirate ship had likely been stalking her own ship, likely to capture it for the Batarians usual disgusting deeds.

Contacting the Republics had been the right move, but they did not react the fastest sometimes, and while she understood her orders to hold position was to help protect the new race, apparently called the Raloi according to the VI's translations of their communications to them, it wasn't what worried her.

What worried her was that there was apparently movement in the nearby system where the Relay was located, and that she could no longer contact the Republic meaning there was likely a Batarian pirate ships blocking her attempts to communicate, and that the other unknown was still in the system being as utterly impossible as it always was.

That entire thing, because she refused to call it a ship, was an affront to everything that was considered basic knowledge and understood science. It was an open topped vessel, open to space and everything in it, with a race that looked like pale fur topped Asari running all about it. Her ships computers and VI's could tell nearly nothing about it either. It had only some kind of reactor signature that was unknown, and had nothing else visible or detectable. No engines, no life support system, no Mass accelerator cannons, no Element Zero systems of any kind. The entire vessel even had what looked like sails made of some kind of strange material that the sensors had issues detecting too. It was like the entire vessel was pulled out of an archaic age just to mock everything that existed about spaceships!

In'irra shook her head and spun her chair around away from her terminal with a sigh. "if we could just contact them like we have the Raloi we could at least explain the situation. We don't even know if they are hanging around for the same reason we are, or for some other reason."

Before she could calm herself down and recollect her thoughts her terminal began beeping, making her sigh. "Yes?" she asked as she touched the button on the terminal, bringing up her ships main Sensor technician.

"Captain, we've got an issue here. The VI is acting weird, and we are getting all kind of strange sensor readings. Its like the ship is possessed!"

In'irra Froze at her subordinate's words as past events caught up to her and made her go pale. As pale as an Asari could anyway. "Shut the VI off, cut all outbound and inbound connections and Scrub the ships systems, now! I'll be on the bridge in a minute!" She screamed as she got up from her chair and immediately rushed out the door, not bothering to make sure her subordinate heard her.

As she ran down the halls she noticed the lights flickering a few times, until untimely they all shut off, the emergency light illuminating the halls with a dull blue hue a second later.

"Good, that should hopefully stop it," In'irra mjuttered to herself coldly as she reached the door to the bridge and went though, the emergency power still thankfully poweritn most primary doors. "Did you do everything I told you to? Everything?!"

"Y-yes captain," the technician replied in a worried tone. "But, why?"

"Because all of what you told me made it sound like an AI was trying to hack us," In'irra said as she took her seat upon the captain chair.

"What?!"

"You think that those aliens use AI?" the pilot asked in worry from their position.

"It seems likely. Can we restart the ships systems yet?"

"Yes captain."

"Good, do it, but do not activate any outbound communications. I want weapons primed and I want us turned to aim our main gun at that ship!"

"Captain? That, could cause them to-"

" I realize that, but we need to make it clear to them that we do not take kindly to such things. We will not fire. We will just make our stance clear."

"Understood captain. Restarting systems now. Once everything is restarted properly and the systems checked we will turn and charge weapons."

"Good. Make sure our sensors do a full sweep though, just in case."

"Understood."

In'irra sighed once more, feeling like the last week, and the realization those impossible aliens used AI, made her feel a full century older. AI's were dangerous, so dangerous it was nearly inconceivable that anyone would not realize such a thing. Even VI's had to be properly monitored otherwise they could have problems that would cost people their lives. There were safeties in place, enough for a VI, but to use AI on a ship was a recipe for disaster. "As if their ship is not a disaster in itself."

"Pardon, did you say something captain?"

In'irra turned to see her second in command, a young Asari Matron, just into her matron stage who she still could not remember the name of. She had after all, only just put on the ship by the Republic. This was her first mission on the ship.

"No, nothing. Just musing to myself about our, unexpected guests and their foolishness."

"For using AI?"

"Yes. And for having such an absurd ship design."

"I don't see it as absurd, simply different. Their technology base is so different than ours, so it would only make sense that their ships would be different."

"Ships without element zero are simply wastes of space," In'irra said with a shake of her head as the bridge lit back up and systems began properly rebooting.

"Our ship is still whole because of their strange weaponry though. Without their actions, we might have been destroyed by the Batarians, or perhaps worse, captured."

"That does not change that their technology is clearly inferior. A single mass accelerator round could kill their whole crew of, whatever they are."

"You were not so derisive of them before .Does the mere idea of them using AI anger you so much captain?"

"I was there when the GEth drove the Quarians from Rannoch!" In'irra hissed. "I helped evacuate hundreds who were crying and screaming, and was there when the Council at the time decided to abandon the Quarians. I was there when my young lover was gunned down trying to defend others who ran for my ship. Do not act like you understand."

"I am sorry, but-"

Both Asari were cut of as a blaring alarm tore through the Bridge of the ship.

" Status, now! What is that alarm!" In'irra demanded to know.

"Captain, we have multiple Eezo Signatures entering the system form the direction of the Relay system! Utfput it irregular and unatable. Vi figures Batarian Ships from long range signature!"

"Goddess, damn those primitives AI," In'irra said with a scowl. "How many and of what size and classes?"

"one moment . . . . . . .thee ships, one Corcalla Destroyer and two Yu'garr Frigates. Engine signatures are unstable, but they have weapons powered. Currently eight times out of maximum combat ranges."

"So we have some time until they are in combat ranges," In'irra said with a sigh of minor relief. "They are approaching at full speed, yes?"

"Yes Captain."

"Can we contact the Republics or Citadel Defense Forces?"

"Does not seem so. We are getting no kind of communications in our outbound."

"So they're running silent while another by the relay blocking our communications makes sense," In'irra said as she began considering her options. Only there were not any. They were a scouting ship, not a mainline war vessel. The fact they survived the first fight was only because of the unknown aliens in their impossible ship. Against three ships they were outnumbered and outgunned. The only thing they had was their speed. "Charge the Eezo core and prepare to chart a course out of the system."

In that instant, epssite the alarms going off, one could hear a pin drop as every person turned to look at their captain. Some looked on in shock, others in grim understanding, and yet others in horror at what they had heard.

"Captain, that would mean leaving a primitive species, and those unknown aliens, to whatever those pirates would put them through," In'irra's Second in command said grimly. "It could doom their races to futures of slavery."

"I realize this. However, we cannot help them with our meager equipment," In'irra said just a grimly. "Our best way to help them is to leave, and hopefully help lead whatever forces the Republics or Citadel are sending."

"C-captain, could we at least warn the local planet as we leave?" one of the technicians asked hopefully.

"We would have to get within lasercom distance, meaning very close to the planet itself. If the Bataarians try to fire at us from far outside their combat range, we would be endangering the Raloi."

"We have no choice. We cannot help them if we are dead or captured ourselves," In'irra said as she noticed that no one was doing their jobs. "We are leaving. Get to your stations and prepare already!"

The bridge crew began working, many muttering or whispering as they did.

"This will likely result in a very heavy investigation. Possibly a loss of rank if we survive."

In'irra looked to her second and merely sighed. "I would rather that, then all of us die or become slaves."

" I see. . . . Then, with your permission I would like to use the shuttle."

Once again, much of the bridge grew quiet.

"For what reason?"

"To give the Raloi the chance they need to prepare defense's. I will go to the planet, and speak with them directly."

" . . . .You, are aware of what you are asking?"

"I am."

"Fine, permission granted," In'irra said with a shake of her head. In that instant the Asari turned and began walking way, prompting In'irra to speak up. "Hold a moment. What was your name again?"

"Salaana K'thikra," She said before she left the bridge.

"Alright, as soon as the shuttle is away I want the course out of the system plotted and us under way," In'irra said coldly.

"Captain, what of the sail ship aliens?" someone called out. "their ship is moving across the Batarians projected flight path in a strange way."

"Ignore them and leave them to their fate. If they do not see this is not a battle that can be won, then it is all they deserve."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Minutes earlier – the Caracal

"Everyone, we have a choice to make!" the Captain of the Caracal called as he stood upon the deck before his whole crew. "our AI has been unable to contact either of these aliens near us, not the ship nor the planet, and worse, when it almost did, the aliens ship turned itself off as if to deny us. They have no intention of speaking to us it would seem. And worse still, more of those other ships have been detected entering this local system area, three of them! These same aliens shot without warning, and clearly mean nothing but ill will, and it seems that the alien ship near us, the sleek one that refuses to speak with us, is charging its systems and engines. We believe, it plans to flee."

The crew began murmuring and whispering to each other, words like cowards and pathetic being tossed around before one crew member, a lithe woman, raised a hand. "Captain, does that planet and its race know these other ships are coming? Has the AI been able to contact them?"

"It has, but the translation is not great, and they are being resistive to trusting us" the captain said with a nod. "Honestly I do not fault them for it. They have just begun entering the vastness of space, and now all of this happens on their doorstep. Yet at the first sign of true danger, the other alien ship seems to be preparing to flee. And so, we must decide what to do ourselves. The Boards forces will likely not arrive for another day or three. So, what do we do?"

"Sir, what has the previous ships wreckage told us about them?" one crew member called out, in a way asking for more information.

In that instant the Caracal's Ship AI, taking the form of a woman in a suit with cat ears, appeared on deck with hands crossed in front of her. "Initial wreckage scans show bad maintenance of the ship, as well as Element zero based technologies. Traces of metal bars, chains, and other similar pieces of debris have also been sighted. While not a guarantee, this unit believes it marks the aliens as something akin to trappers, or perhaps slavers if such a thing exists in other cultures."

The crew talked amongst themselves for a moment before another crew member, a man with dark skin and long braided hair, spoke up. "Captain, if those aliens approaching are slavers as the AI believes, are we their target, or the planet?

"Oh shit!" another crew member exclaimed. "a planet of people that don't have space ships, how could they possibly protect themselves from them?"

"Simple, they won't be able to," another answered. "Captain, we should stay, harass those ships and try to hold them off until our allies arrive!"

"With what guns? We only have seven of them!?" another declared against the idea.

"And what of those on that planet? Do you think slavers would pass up a planet of people unable to defend themselves?"

"The aurora was effective, maybe it's their weakness?

"The aurora cannot fire fast enough to deal with three ships at once."

"Captain and crew," the Caracal's Ai suddenly spoke up loudly. "I am detecting Solar Buffeting at the edge of the system. ETA four hours."

Everyone went quiet at that information. Solar buffeting meant that another ship was traveling along the solar winds and approaching, meaning they had allies incoming. Could they do it?

"The Happiness of Billions, does not make up for the suffering of a single life." Every turned to look at Harper, who had his arms crossed and a grim look on his face. "We foolishly once though we could reign over others, but slavery is wrong as we all know. I do not believe we should do nothing and simply let others, even aliens we barely know, suffer such a fate. If we focus on harassing and disabling, rather than destroying, we should be able to hold for whoever it is to arrive."

"You have a plan?" the captain asked slowly.

"I do," Harper responded.

"I see. Then, all for leaving the planet to its ends and leaving?" The captain asked.

No one spoke up.

"Then, all for staying, and protecting those who cannot protect themselves?"

"Aye!" the crew resounded in response.

"Even if we are not truly military?"

"Aye!"

"Even if we may die in the process?"

"AYE!"

"Then you know what must be done! To your places, prepare for combat!" the Captain yelled before looking to Harper. "Let's hear this plan."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The plan was simple in its concept and execution. The Caracal would use the Celestial currents around the planet and the fact that space was a three dimensional space, to aim their broadside at the enemy and would bob and weave up and down in irregular ways while firing at beyond extreme range. The intent was not to hit the enemy, but to make them wary, to slow them down. For phase one at least.

This proved to be effective, as almost as soon as the Caracal began lobbing Polaron shots across the void, the three incoming ships seemed to spread out and slow down.

And began firing outside of their maximum range as well.

And it quickly became clear that the Aliens ships, albeit ugly and blocky, had weapons capable of firing faster, in all meanings of the words.

"Hard down, Brace!" the helmsman called as the Caracal dipped onward in the void, just narrowly avoiding a bluish projectile that sang past them, whistling and screaming as it went by.

"Dammit, keep the guns firing!" Harper screamed over the continual thumping sounds of the Caracals, cannons firing in a nonstop cascade.

"Harper, the enemy ships are changing their acceleration line!"

Harper looked up to sails at one of the crew who was hanging off the rigging with a spyglass in one hand, using it to help figure out the enemy ships distance and bearing for the guns. "Understood, mark their location and-" Harper stopped, his voice becoming stuck in his throat as one of the alien ships projectiles lanced right through the crewmembers location, turning him into a fine red mist that then showered over a section of the deck, and a number of people. "Fuck, Don't hold back, keep firing we are almost there!"

And they were. They had been doing this for almost four hours now, and the strain was heavily showing for the whole crew. The guns were not firing as fast, they had lost a few, and the ship had been skimmed by a couple shots. The sails had a few holes in them now and while it did not affect their speed too much, it did make it abundantly clear that the alien ships were getting more accurate. Which was unsurprisingly since they were now getting very close to each other.

Close enough for the Aurora to be of use.

"Alright, We're moving onto Phase two!" Harper finally screamed at the top of his lungs. "Halt the guns and prepare for rapid barrage on my signal, Helmsman, turn us right toward them, fly us right between those two smaller lead ships!"

"I hope you know what you are Doing harper!" The captain called as he stood by the helmsman, making sure everything was alright as Harper strode across the deck toward the Aurora turret at the front.

"If I don't then we won't live to complain about it. Just make sure to time the rapid barrage properly!"

"I know my job, just do yours and don't miss!" The captain called back just as Harper got to the turret and climbed inside.

The turret was hot and cramped, with barely enough room for the gunner seat. To the right side of the turret was the Aurora cannon itself, a warm hunk of steel and technology with glasslike tubes and conduits coming out of it an snaking about the turret over to the left side were a great canister was filled with glowing orange and yellow solar energy, condensed and turned into a pseudo liquid substance for storage. Sitting down Harper switched on the guns targeting systems and was greeted by a screen that showed the space in front of the ship, now angle straight towards the oncoming trio of blocky, ugly ships that were still firing as they approached them. In fact they were almost on top of them, the Caracals speed being its greatest asset in this situation.

"Fucking aliens, you want to throw around your weight, I'll prove to you why your weight is useless," Harper said as he began accessing the controls to prime the gun.

A second later he felt the whole ship shudder, likely from a hit. The two smaller ships they were about to pass between seemed to be shifting their entire bodies to try to face them, meaning their main guns were likely built up the spine of their ships. Great for long range firing stability, not so great when a ship got close in. From his screen he could see that the smaller ships appeared to have some damage in them, but most of it looked superficial, armor marks and burns from he Polaron shots residual heat.

The big one is the problem, all I need to do is score a solid hit and I should able able to shut the whole thing off," Harper muttered to himself as he aimed the Aurora at the larger ship straight ahead and pressed the priming button. The liquefied solar energy to his left instantly began flowing from its container into the Aurora, and in that same instant the aurora began emitting enough heat that the turret quickly began to feel like a sauna. "Alright you pieces of shit feel the burn of-"

Harper was suddenly cut off as the sound of a horrendous crash came from outside the turret alongside screams and explosions. The entire ship began shifting to its left, and in a second all Harper could see was the side of one of the smaller ships as he still heard the side guns firing.

It also allowed him to see small turrets upon the small ship that were flashing with light. They had laser defenses of some kind.

"Fuck I should have expected that," Harper yelled as he tried to realign the Aurora turret to the main enemy ship even as the side of the smaller one seemed to get closer and closer. The gun would not turn however, and a second later a warning popped up on the screen, telling him of damage to the turret. A second later a whistling Nosie could be heard in the turret, and Harper could see a small jet of flame leaking out the side of the Aurora. "Fine, look like I'm settling for the smaller fish. Eat Solar flare!" He yelled as he slammed the trigger and unleashed the Aurora.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Authros note: No, Harper is not dead, not yet at least. The rest of this event will come in the next chapter, it's just it took me forever as this last month and a half has been issue for me, which is why almost nothing has updated till now.

Codex information on human technology will come shortly. Haven't decided if I want to have it at an end of chapter, as its own, or its own fic, so we'll see.

Hope you are enjoying this silliness, and the shows of how humanity has become in this setting.