The Black

“…. With the absence of Chancellor Franklin, we are ordering you to send a senior representative to Sol so that we may brief the incoming…..”

Gwen turned off the recording once more. She had heard it three times already…. “Fuck”… she swore to herself, taking a sip of coffee just as the doors opened to her Port Royal office.

Clint and Mackenzie stepped through the door and stood at attention just long enough for the door to close, breaking out into smiles and hugs for her. Gwen returned them somewhat somberly before waving them to their seats. “I’m sorry, but this meeting is not one of good news. Chancellor Franklin has passed, the autopsy will tell how, but for now it appears to be of natural causes.”

Mac sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin while crossing his arms, “I never met him, but he seemed genuine. My condolences, I know you two were closer due to work.”

“Yes, well; we have a bigger problem. The Sol council has requested a small group of my senior staff to return to Terra and brief the incoming Chancellor and newer council members… this will be a long trip… and unfortunately, it must be done quickly.”

“And the two of us are the only ones qualified aside from yourself. You are needed here. I hear the Lycans are sending over a delegation in a few weeks. With the Thermian stranglehold on the military broken, they have been freer to pursue their own endeavors.” Clint observed.

The news article smear piece has been published just in time for the attack on Delmar by the Vorath too. Have concluded. The images of humans sacrificing themselves for a planet not their own, and the unedited footage released by admiral Gwen had turned the smear piece into a grenade in the face of unity “journalism”. Gwen hoped that with this new breathing room in the court of public opinion and her human captains currently making introductions through trade, that Humanity could carry this momentum forward.

“Unfortunately true, both of you have young families, but I am forced to choose between the two..” Gwen mused.

“Then don’t. I will go, with Lyri and the kids.” Mac stated, “We can school them on the way, they are old enough to travel, and while Frie Can tolerate Terran gravity, she struggled all through her pregnancy with the weight. She is not at home in 1G like Lyrian. I would also like to get Concord a refit. She has done well, but she is due a deep look. I also have some ideas on how to arm and refit her as well.” Mac stated.

“And Lyrian is dying to see Earth.” Clint chuckled.

“Well, that too.” Mac grinned.

“Well, I guess that’s half of it, are you good with Mac returning to earth?” Gwen asked Clint simply.

“I don’t see why not, I’m not keen to leave Frie with little Natalia. And the two of them are not ready for terra. We can playhouse sitters so that Natalia can get her Terran gravity she needs. Seems like a good plan.” Clint conceded.

“Good, then that settles it. I’ll have to find a new head for the first and third fleet. Clint, I need you as rear admiral of all the fleets. Gregory had no choice, but his loss is felt in more than just sentiment. You worked with him the longest. I need you in his stead to run Legion.” Gwen’s formal tone held gravity, and Clint simply nodded, “For the time being, I can see to it that you work from Delmar, at least for a little while.”

“That would be a relief, thanks” Clint smiled.

“Well. That’s that. Mac, I’m sending you back the carriers, we don’t need them with the SOL’s here. I’ll be sending along ahead of your requests and requisitions for your return trip. You leave by week's end.” Gwen stated. Standing once more, “Godspeed, both of you. I’m sorry but I’ll be missing lunch. This particular wrench has landed particularly hard on us. I’ll see you before you leave. Dismissed” She hugged the two of them before they departed, settling down in her chair once more. She didn’t bother with the recording and began composing a response. Most of it would be the usual platitudes and requisitions. One however… would have to be delivered in person. She saved that in a data stick and set it aside.

————————————————————

“I guess you’ll outrank me forever now” Mac chuckled as he and his brother walked the promenade towards the cafe to meet Frie and Lyri. The children were probably home from school, and Saint Nicole was probably already feeding them some crazy Cajun dish or another.

Clint chuckled, then sobered, “You never were the staff officer type, and we both know you would burn out, it’s better this way. I’m going to put in some requests as well. The Talon class ships have a place out here. I’ll see what I can do about getting some more of them over to augment our recon forces. I want you to head up that unit when you return.”

“That sounds about my speed, honestly.” Mac admitted before the two of them rounded the corner to see Frie and Lyrian already at a table with Silu and Ami.

The two men wandered around the Promenade and into view of the Café that their wives were sitting along with Silu. Ami was settled into a nearby Saurian seating spot where she could swing her head over to the table. Silu chuckled as Frie gave Clint a sardonically chased peck on the cheek while Lyria straight up mauled Mac with a full embrace and a nip on the corner of his chin under his left ear.

“I was about to com Philip, it took you too long enough. I trust the Ambassador’s news was not too grim?” He smiled, but quirked an eyebrow at the almost imagined glance the two gave each other as they settled into their seats. The Girls had ordered them their “usual”, and it had arrived just as they did.

“It’s a mixed bag…” Clint began, “The Sol Chancellor was found dead in his tube shuttle by his sister before the last transmission was sent, the one we received today. He was the only one cleared to know everything that has been going out here in Unity space...”

Mac spoke right as his brother finished, a trait shared only by natural twins and people who had undergone the Cerebral Synce training required to pilot a tandem TALON like Concord, “Sol has ordered Gwen to send a Liaison to Sol to spin up the new Chancellor…. It looks like Clint will be taking over Legion for the moment,” he paused feeling the slight spike in apprehension and anticipation from Lyri, “I will be taking the older Escort Carriers Home for decommission and replacement, as well as acting as that Liaison.”

Lyrian’s eyes fell, “How long will you be gone… How much time do we have….” Mac pulled her in close and kissed the top of her head.

“We have until the end of the week to depart. Nicole has been recalled to the Tranquility. You and she will undoubtedly have your hands full keeping up with the twins schooling.” Mac’s smug grin turned positively titanic as Lyrian jerked out of his arms with a shocked and surprised face as Mac finally let her in on the secret.

“A h-uile duine againn? Tha sinn a' dol ... a dh'fhaicinn na Talmhainn? (All of us? We’re going… to see Earth?)” she asked softly in Gaelic.

“A h-uile duine again (All of us)” Mac responded in kind before returning to English, “We might be gone upward of a year, mostly living on Terra” Mac stated, “I’m not staying away from you that long.”

“And I’m not strong enough to spend that much time in Terran gravity… Carrying Natalia was, brutal.” Frie admitted, “You better take lots of photographs.”

“Always” Lyrian promised.

“Congratulations, I know you wanted to see his world for a long time.” Silu stated before leading a toast “Slainte!” he stated, finally laughing at Mac and Clint's raised eyebrows, “I pay attention...” was all he said before they all drank.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Captain Yasushi stepped out of his Captains Berth and began his walk to the bridge of the Excelsior. His feet felt heavy, not from gravity but from the weight of witness. They were approaching the next world in their assigned exploration sector... long range scans via probe, done before his departure, had proven promising. That was not a consolation to the man who was undoubtedly about to bear witness to the remnants of another slaughtered species. He had 3 destoyers as escort this time. One of them, the UGN Hyperion, was his permanent escort while the other two were to maintain the previous trips plans of escorting the research crews.

“Captain on deck!” Ensign Patterson snapped off.

“As you were, Ensign a moment if you please.” Yasu waved the young man over to the central captain’s chair he was standing next to, “I believe you are out of uniform.”

“Sir?” The young man patted himself down confirming everything was in in place before looking a question at his captain.

“No Lieutenant of mine is going to be on the bridge whilst missing his bars.” Yasu scolded slightly, before relenting with a grin and producing a small box with the young man’s new insignia, “Congratulations, Lieutenant. The approval should be here in a couple of days to match your birthday, but Captains privilege has its advantages. Care to take us out of Slip?”

“A..Aye Sir!” The young man beamed as the captain waved him to sit in the command chair as he stood behind it

“Con, update?” Lt. Patterson asked firmly but cordially.

“2min Lieutenant” the Con stated.

“Very well, signal our escorts. Shields up and weapons on standby, we don’t know if this planet had a civilization, or what surprises they left behind with them. Let’s take precautions.” The young man stated. The captain nodded his approval as the orders were carried out. “Cover’s on!” Called the replacement at tactical as everyone’s built-in exosuit functions covered and sealed them inside of their uniforms. The hiss of depressurization that accompanied the preparation for combat faded as Excelsior packed her atmosphere deep into her core in pressurized tanks behind layers of armor.

*t minus 30 seconds* The digitized voice of the Con filtered through the helmets of the bridge crew.

“T minus 15…. Mark! Drop on the numbers.” Lt Patterson ordered.

Excelsior dropped out of slip, on time, on target just on the outer edge of the System as per protocol.

“Well done, Lieutenant.” Captain Yasu stated into his helmet com, “Take your station” he nodded as the young man saluted and returned to the tactical station of Excelsior, “Take us in Con. All ahead two-thirds. Ops and Tactical, stretch our sensors forward. No surprises.”

A chorus of Aye’s rang out in his helmet as his flotilla cautiously made its way toward the second of five planets in this system.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

He woke up… He didn’t remember falling asleep. Attica tried to move only to realize something was off. He tried again, only to find himself looking out from an odd position in the upper corner of the room... Moments later the digital copy of Attica received a flood of downloaded information including a recording of Attica himself.

“Ah, there you are. If you are reading this, several things have miraculously happened. First, one or more of the Pods in my care have survived with at least minimal life signs. Secondly, you exist in compilation capable of reasoned and competent thought. Yes, you are me; yet not me. You are a copy of me turned to digital form as the guardian of the Elerian Race, such as it may exist or not so. What remains of the First family resides in the cryo-pods attached to this computer system. The Third miracle is that the sensor array attached to this computer system is both still capable and has had its passive systems triggered by the detection of ships not of Vorath make or sensor signature. No, you do not know who it is. That is what the fourth and final miracle will be for you to discover if it is to be. A download has been triggered to bring you up to speed on everything that has been collected on passive sensors. It will be your job to decide if contact is warranted, or if you are to return to dormancy and await a new... opportunity. You are of me; I trust you to make that judgment….” The recorded Corth paused briefly, “I never was able to procreate… In a strange way, you are my only offspring. Good luck, my son.”

With that the recording ended, and the digital clone of Attica slid deep into the pool of data before him, soaking up every byte to assure himself he had the complete picture. 4 ships had entered the system in a manner unknown to the Corth at the time of this installation initiated its Dormancy Protocols. The installation itself was in a subpar shape. 3 of its 5 thermal reactors were no longer functional due to temperature drops from tectonic shifts. More than a few millions of years had passed since his… father… had initiated the pods and the shutdown… Their power supplies would not last another thousand at this rate. The Digital being turned its attention to the ships approaching at a descent yet, decidedly cautious rate and formation. One larger ship supported by three smaller ones, a pretty standard battle group formation. All ships had their shielding present, and their energy signature numbers were… impressive for ships of their size. They were armed, yet their weapons seemed to be ready but not actively being used...

The Digital Clone of a 30 plus million-year dead Corth figuratively “sat back” and watched as the ships closed on the Aerisi home world.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Concord eased into the Port Hanger Bay of USN Tranquility. The aging Carrier had been retrofitted with full artificial gravity by this time and was using the reduced gravity techniques pioneered by fighters operating in Delmar atmosphere and gravity to allow for Concord to touch down gracefully before gravity was returned to earth 1G.

Lt Lyrian Mackenzie Grarzia stepped out of the back seat of Concord and began the external post flight as Commodore James Mackenzie Grarzia finished up the in cockpit securing procedures. Soon both were on the deck walking toward the crew chief as they retracted their helmets.

Chief Bruce Kaminski raised an eyebrow at the two, “Didn’t expect a Delmar to be comfortable at 1g. welcome aboard Lieutenant” he gave a quick salute and a smile.

“I had to work at it, there aren’t many of us.” Lyrian smiled back at him returning the salute before shaking his hand, “I think 303 Wing might be the next ones to truly master Terran 1g. but not for a while yet.”

“Indeed. What can I do you and the Commodore for?” Kaminski smirked as he shook Mac’s hand.

“Just a tie-down and refuel for now. She’s full up on everything else. If you see something that needs doin’, go right ahead. I’ve seen how you guys keep the Raptors you brought, ill sign off on anything you find.”

“Aye sir, We’ll give’r the usual once over. Captn’s waitin for you in the CIC, Ensin’ over there is to take you to em’.” Kaminski waved the younger man over before saluting and walking off toward the still-cooling and ticking Concord.

5 minutes of walking later, Mac and Lyrian were on the Bridge of the Tranquility, “Commodore on deck!” Barked Captain Brian Willows as the two entered, “A pleasure once again. I met your twins when Nicole brought them aboard, they are safely in your quarters” he shook Mac’s hand after a waved-off salute and got a quick smile from Lyrian.

“How’s our schedule looking?” Mac asked, scanning the screens.

“We will be ready to jump in 20minutes.” Willows responded.

“Very good, I’ll stick around until we hit slip. You know your ship Captain, carry on as scheduled.” Mac smiled before settling back into the “observation chair”.

“I'm going to check on the kids, and possibly Save Nicole from another finger-painting apocalypse,” Lyrain said, saluting the captain dutifully and departing. Part of this Liaison trip was paperwork. As such, considering Lyrians service so far as Mac’s backseater, Mac had used his Commodore’s status to field commission her into the USN to make the paperwork simpler. She was still getting used to saluting and being saluted, but it was preferable to having to deal with the restricted area vs non-restricted area problem of having a civilian rattling around a warship for 4 months… and it would be a four-month trip. It had taken longer to get to Delmar space; however, the exigence of the situation warranted the extra strain on the engines to get the Sol.

20 min later, Tranquility, along with the other Carrier and two of the oldest destroyers jumped for Sol.

____________________________________________________________________________________

The approach and transition into orbit had been extremely quiet for Captain Yasushi’s flotilla... The inevitable discovery of Genocide had been found. This race had been more advanced than his last discovery. They had found evidence of intra system defenses and at least one orbital engagement with Vorath pattern ships and an armada of Corth combined with unknown designs. Cookie cutter chunks had been taken out of each of the planets 3 moons, most likely denoting antimatter detonations where military instillations had proven to tough to crack, or not worth the manpower and simply obliterated out of hand. The planet had been ravaged, but the eons had smoothed the edges so that one would be forgiven for mistaking the orbital bombardment as natural terrain. Life flourished, yet there was a minimum of megafauna. The planet was trying to heal itself, but only a few lager species had either redeveloped or had survived. Their civilization had not. Every cluster of Technology had been bombarded. What few survivors might have been left behind had not had enough genetic diversity to repopulate the planet, or were simply killed off in the fall out. There was evidence of primitive stone structures along the coasts of manufactured crater inlets. but no occupants.

Yasu rubbed his nose, avoiding the now familiar sick feeling in his stomach as he bore witness to another murdered race. He had long forgotten how many worlds humanity had explored so far… almost all their fell into one of three categories. To hostile to support life, a garden world that had never developed sapient life, or a murdered civilization world.. The Public Media had reported on each find… and Humanity had begun calling these Planetary graveyards, “Death-worlds” … A debate in the public space was currently raging as to whether we have the right to claim these worlds, or if Humanity should label them as graveyards and leave them be. Yasu shook his head as he heard a gasp from one of his bridge crew...

“Report” Yasu ordered, maybe a bit more firmly than he wanted.

“Sir... permission to throw this on the main screen” The young woman asked.

“Granted Crewman, what did you find.” Yasu said more gently this time.

The screen snapped to an overlay of the scanned topography of the planet’s surface located directly below them. She then overlayed a passive sensor array scan designed to pick up energy readings.. There in the deepest part of one crater valley... was a hot spot, “Captain… that was not there 20 minutes ago... I also have this…” she posted an orbital overlay onto the screen, showing small, marked locations in orbit, “Its subtle captain, but these are sensor array satellites of some kind... You can barely notice them, and I didn’t until I found the energy signature… These satellites are tracking us. And transmitting to that energy source…”

“Ok, so we have another automated system to shut down... have...” Yasu raised an eyebrow as the young woman rallied and interrupted him.

“Captain, the energy source is transmitting back… There is someone, or something actively controlling these satellites...”

-3months later-

The smell of strong coffee boiled away the last of the brain fog as Captain Irving clawed back consciousness from the brink of the security of slumber. Having an automated coffee machine was a godsend in these moments. The clock made him swear, 4 hours... 4 hours of sleep before they were to arrive. His shower was needlessly cold, a reminder to himself more than anything else. He found a fresh uniform in his standing closet and quickly dressed, readying and inserting his sidearm into its holster.

He wore the Delmar Confederation’s traditional colors as a Captain of a ship flagged under them. The pistol at his hip was human, Austrian made in the style of the late 20th and 21st century manufacturer created by Gaston Glock. He preferred function over form, and outside of internal accommodations to modern capacitance-based ammunition, the outer design had not changed significantly in the intervening centuries.

Stepping out into the hallway was always a bit of fun. He, and all the human crew aboard, kept their rooms at earth 1G. Stepping out to the half G standard of a Delmar ship was something to be practiced. Quiet, calm yet brisk steps carried him to the bridge in a little under 5 minutes, and he was greeted with a refill of coffee from the Bridges Pot of Joe.

“That bad Hmm?” he asked Hera as she put the pot back down handing him a data pad

“Unfortunately, Regalor has always had a prickly harbor master who, of course, is also the shuttle guild rep for this system” Hera stated, “I think I might even need some of that in full strength” she chuckled.

“You’re funeral, I’ve seen you on half-caf.” Jacob Irving chuckled back before raising an eyebrow at a genuine smile that fluttered across Hera’s face ‘Easy, you old hound,’ he grumbled to himself nodding and returning to the data pad.

Regalor was a stunted system, they were on the outskirts of the Delmar home Transit sector. That normally would not be a problem, but Regalor was Kawmari colonized system. It turned out that the Admiral that assisted in the defense of Delmar was an… acception in temperament. The Kawmari as a whole tended to look down on any being that they could well... look down on... or fly over… They were prickly beings to negotiate with. Regalor often went without because the Governor tended to push the issue of trade and import fees.

“5 min to arrival” called the Helmsman, a Human by the name of Walker.

“On the Numbers please, Walker.” Irving responded, tacitly giving Walker the go ahead to drop them into Regular space. “XO, are these the latest?”

“Unfortunately, they are high. Do you have any of your special human tokens left?” Hera asked hesitantly.

“None I am willing to part with… This one is going to hurt isn’t it” Jake moaned.

“Possibly, it depends on how badly the people need this manifest.” Hera’s tone was not optimistic.

The drop from subspace went without a hitch, and Lucid Traveler grumbled her protest as she burned hard to decelerate for orbit. Jake worked over the numbers, and the information about the system.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Mac awoke to a beeping on his console. He lifted his head to see that the priority 1 alert had been triggered, then flopped back down and received a trio of groans for his trouble. The twins were still acclimating to life aboard ship, and on occasion had piled into the main berth with Lyrian and himself. This was one such event as young Bry was firmly wedged in between Lyrian and himself, with Tris curled up under his opposite armpit, her tail covering her nose she snored softly into its silvery tuft. She grumbled slightly as he picked her up, moving her to his chest as he slid out of the covers and settled her next to Lyrian and her brother.

He snagged a pair of Pajama pants from the rack as he opened the message, before groaning again and stripping back down to get into the shower properly. ‘at least it’s a normal time in the morning’.

10 minutes later he stepped out of the shower to see Lyrain feeding the little ones their breakfast. Wrapping his arms around her waist before hissing her on the neck, Mac turned her around properly and got a passionate kiss in return, “morning” he chuckled as she played at his lower lip with her fangs.

“Morning to you. What got you up this early.” Che coo’d back at him.

“One of the research teams called for support, we are the closest and Sol wants us to divert. I need to get to the bridge to get us going in the right direction.” He grumbled, “I was enjoying dog pile cuddle time.”

“You keep mentioning this ‘dog’, I better be meeting one.” Lyri smiled before returning to catch an almost flying bowl of applesauce.

“I think I can manage that, got to go Luv.” He smooched her on the cheek before departing for the bridge.

A few minutes later Mac stepped foot onto the bridge of the Tranquility, “As you were” he preempted the call to order upon his entrance, “Captain, it appears that we will be taking the long way home.”

“Sir?” The captain of Tranquility quirked an eyebrow at him.

Mac handed a pad to the Navigations crewman on station and handed him a data stick, “one of our exploration task forces found something... something “Big”. Something big enough that they decided to request backup. We are the closest. Navigation, we will be doing a calculated drop and rejump. Once you have an Initial and Final Coordinate, have it checked by the other ships of the fleet. Let’s not send ourselves to oblivion out of haste, Carryon.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Attica watched in curiosity as these strange new beings methodically checked every one of his observation satellites, then proceeded to drop surface teams fairly close to his actual location. They had had their work cut out for them, and he had noticed a tightly secured transmission sent within moments of their cautious recognition of his presence. He had not counted on that; they were apparently able to track his carefully masked transmissions to his sensor net. The crater they landed in was all that was left of the emergency bunker that had the first family of the murdered race he was charged with protecting.

It had taken two months for this strange new species to excavate. To his surprise they did so with incredible care, making sure to not destabilize any surviving structures as they descended. Their methodical persistence was rewarded as the first of these newcomers broke through into the hallway just outside the cryo chambers. Attica quickly shifted his digital abode into the mainframe of the singular functioning cryotube, triggering a shutdown and unlock of the final door.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Lt Patterson Stood quietly as the main security contingent went in the door, they had found at the bottom of a crater deeper than most of the other crater/valley’s on this world. Whatever was here, the Vorath wanted gone... That made this a very interesting Crater indeed.

“CLEAR!” came the call as Warren nodded and followed through the door. Captain Yasushi had insisted on coming down for this final part, and Warren was not happy about it. The command group stepped into a surprisingly clean chamber. There were working computer components off to the right, some sort of early biobed in the middle. Two of the three pod-looking features were slightly frosted over, with the third revealing a gruesome sight of a mummified Corth with empty eye sockets and long dried black stains on its face.

Warren stepped up to the biobed and tapped a few controls, bringing up an interface, “Recovery, Let's get what we can off the bed and those consoles. It looks like these are at least responsive.”

Captain Yasu slowly approached the dead Corth, kneeling down and examining its almost charred features.

“Uh… Captain… You’re going to want to see this…” One of the Security team’s tones snapped Yasu out of his revelry.

“Yes, specialist” His voice was level, but Warren had spent enough time with his captain to see the strain of trepidation on his face

“Sir, These pods... they are active… sir” The man stammered.

“I can see that specialist” Yasu stated.

“Sir... by active... I mean they are Occupied, or were... This one here has active bio signs, and an internal power supply… Sir, we have at least one survivor…”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mac stood in the Infirmary of the Excelsior, staring at a strange cryopod as it lay on the floor, hooked up to ship's power.

“I have to admit, when I asked for help, I was not expecting an Armada.” Captain Yasushi shook the hand of Mac as he entered, “What can I do for the man who gave us the Galaxy?”

“It’s more like what Can I do for you. My orders are one of assistance. You are still leading on this. I’m just the muscle in case things get froggy. This is the first survivor we have encountered. There is much that we could learn.

*I’m afraid that won’t be the case here.* everyone in the room jumped and multiple weapons were drawn on the cryo pod as it spoke...

*My apologies, one moment.* the cryo pod flickered before a nearby bio bed’s holographic generators activated showing the image of the Corth that was found dead on the surface *Please, do not be alarmed. I mean you no harm, but I fear for the young girl if you bring her back to us just yet*

Weapons slowly lowered as the Corth raised placating hands “Ok, Who are you... well, what are you” Mackenzie spoke first.

*I am... Atticus. I am a digital clone of Attica, the Corth Delegate to the Elerian people… May I ask to see a star chart? *

Yasushi pulled up his data pad and faced it to the hologram, “This is where you are.”

*Oh dear, oh dear… This is not good… I am obviously grateful, but it appears that the only surviving member of the Eleri is a young girl of barely 16 cycles… OUT!! EVERYONE OUT!* The hologram protested *Except you* he pointed straight at Warren *you are about her age, you will do. Everyone else, please trust me, Jezzaria was always terrified of strange adults, but she will not freak out with someone her own age and myself*

Yasushi began to protest but felt a hand on his arm, “Captain, I’ll do it. I am combat certified, I’ll call if I need help.” young Warren’s face was firm yet still asking permission.

“Very well. We will be right outside.”

_________________________________________________________________________________

She woke up, she didn’t remember going to sleep or being so cold, as a gentle warmth wormed its way deep into her bones. Before long, she felt restless. She was on a bed; one she did not recognize as she slowly sat up; unwrapping her wings from around herself to throw her legs over the side to stand….

*Jezz* she snapped her head up to find Attica smiling at her *take it slowly my dear, it has been a long while since you went in.* Jezzaria’s eyes narrowed as she recognized a synthesized voice

Jez tried to speak but could not. Instead, she began coughing a dry cough that would not stop. A warm hand gently took hers and guided it to a cup of water that she sipped before draining.

“You... *cough* you aren’t Attica” She croaked finally.

*No, my dear, Attica is dead, 35 million years past. I am his shadow, his Legacy. As are you. *

“35 million years, that not..” Jezz froze as the memories of her last waking moments came flooding back to her. The Vorath, the death of Eleria… the Cryo Pods.. Her whole body shook as it all came flooding back. She looked over to the pod, “Where’s Momma and Pappa..”

She looked up as the hand took the cup from her gently, her eyes meeting a strange face of a young being that was watching her thoughtfully with kind eyes, “Who are you…”

The being responded with a strange set of sounds before raising one digit and slowly approaching her. She balked slightly as he reached for her face and he paused until she nodded once more. He brushed aside her hair and inserted a small device into one ear, then the other.

“Im Warren Patterson. It’s a pleasure to meet you Jezzaria” He spoke through the translators.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Warren had watched as they had taken the young woman out of the cryo pod and placed her on the biobed for reanimation. She was bipedal with almost human-like skin, but with a distinctive transluscent blue to it. She wore a pair of pajama-style garments that were covered in dust and grime, hinting at her last moments of consciousness. Her figure was typical for a young Bipedal Female with the exception of a massive pair of feathered wings that made her look like an angel. Her wings were a combination of dark navy and bright green edges to her flight feathers. Green downy feathers ruffled along the leading edge of them and traced a line of feathers to the base of her neck. She appeared to have a normal, to humans, head of hair in the same deep navy blue accenting the pale hues of her face. After some water, She sat slowly and began conversing with the hologram in a strange avian language, and he quickly inserted one pair of translators into his ear.

“Where’s Mom and Dad” …… “Who are you..” were the first words he heard translated and began to speak before realizing she would not be able to understand him. He raised one finger and slowly approached her, brushing a lock of her hair behind an ear and inserting her own translators into ears that were fringed with the same green down feathers from her wings.

“I’m Warren Patterson, it’s a pleasure to meet you Jezzaria” he spoke in calm tones.

“What happened to Mom and Dad…” Tears were already welling in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, your pod…” He took a step forward and took her hands in his, “Your pod was the only one we found still working.” he winced as he felt her fingernails dig into his hands, but he didn’t let it show

“I’m the last… the pods weren’t designed for this long… I’m the last aren’t I” the tears broke free.

Warren let go of one hand, ignoring the marks, and put one hand on her shoulder, “I’m sorry. We’ve been here for months. You are the only survivor we have found.”

There was a long silence of several minutes as Warren simply stood there holding her hands as she sobbed into her own lap. She finally cried herself out and looked up at him, “Where am I” she asked finally.

“Aboard a starship, the SES Excelsior. I am its Tactical officer” Warren offered, “There are a lot of people who would like to meet you. I’m told you don’t do well with strange adults.”

“Yea, it's stupid really. Mom and Dad had to work hard to get me to face it. I’m still warry” She admitted.

‘Ah, a phobia’ Warraen nodded, “Well, there are a lot of adults out of that door, that need to talk to you. We need to know what you remember.”

Jezzaria nodded weakly before brushing herself down the best she could and turned to sit facing the door. She never let go of Warrens left hand and he discreetly put his quickly scabbing right hand in a pocket

“Come!” he called out, and the door opened.

___________________________________________________________________________________

“Fucking Hell, you weren’t kidding” Jake Irving whispered to Hera. She nodded as they stepped out of the docking port that Traveler was attached to. The place was a desolate abomination of poverty in the modern age… a growing crowd of hungry eye’d citizens, exclusively Kawmari gathered around the bay that was to be Traveler’s berth for the time being, a fluffy, immaculately preened fat example of the species waddled out, standing as tall as he could to look down-figuratively as well as literally- on the Traveler crew. He clapped his giant beak together in either mockery or an attempt to threaten and intimidate.

Jake Irving rolled his eyes, “Harbor Master Hawik, I presume” He managed to keep his tone civil, but only just.

“Ah, so Delmar are outsourcing their trade now it seems. What the hell are you anyway, and what rock did they dig you from under” Hawik scoffed.

“I am Captain Jacob Irving. Master under the void of the Lucid Traveler.” Jacob paused as a thought ran through his head. He spoke again, loudly this time, waving an arm dramatically, “I have come with food and medicine, enough to stave off the cold seasons. I have but one of two ships coming. IF we can negotiate a fair price and distribution...”

Hawik’s eyes narrowed as he took two menacing steps forward and lowered his beak and clacked it next to Jacob’s head, “Watch your tone meat bag,”

Jacob simply smiled with all his teeth, causing the harbor master to pause, recognizing the flagrant act of aggression, “It appears we cannot make a deal this day, good luck! We will deliver this to the next system” he loudly proclaimed, then whispered quietly to the fat bird, “you might want to call security... they don’t look too happy.”

Hawik looked around discreetly and his eyes widened as he saw meager arms pick up makeshift objects and glare at him, “Come, let’s not be too hasty. We can discuss terms in my office.” To his dismay, this new being simply ignored his request.

“Here are our terms, set forth by the Galactic Health Organization. You may take or leave them” Jacob smirked as the fat avian read through the paperwork, discreetly looking around at the growing angry crowd.

“These terms appear fair” his anger was not hidden in his eyes as he signed the contract, “We will begin offloading immediately, feel free to enjoy the stations amenities” he spun on his heels and stomped back down the corridors.

2 hours later Jacob and Hera found themselves in a local pub, Jacob had made a point of tipping the bar tender heavily, and discreetly.

“What the hell was that” Hera stated flatly. “How did you know he would fold like that.”

“I didn’t, I just had a hunch. That fat fuck was so arrogant that he did not bring security with him. I made it plain that he would not get a single bag of grain off my ship if he refused the offer on the spot. And he would probably have not survived the run to his office if he had” Jacob mentioned.

“That’s, evil.” Hera shivered,

“No, what the fat bird was doing to these people IS evil. If I wasn’t representing Delmar right now… I might have put a bullet in him….” Jacob growled.

Hera gave him a sideways worried look.

“I know that look. What is it” Jake asked.

“That was, terrifyingly human. It’s not a look I am used to from you” Hera admitted.

“I may not be as intense as some other Humans” Jacob sighed, “but most of us get pretty infuriated by this kind of evil. We’ve seen enough of it at home…” he paused before a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “So, you like my looks do you” Jake chuckled with a wink, the paused as Hera blushed slightly.

“Only when I’m drinking” She covered before going quiet, “the door, two Thermians… they are heading right over.”

Jacob turned to meet the two lizards, “How’s it going.”