No Man's Land

Posted on Thu Apr 10th, 2025 @ 1:16pm by Conglomerate (Reece)

Mission: Season 6: Echoes of the Zynari
Location: Galatonian scout ship, just outs7de Zynari territory
Timeline: MD 1
525 words - 1.1 OF Standard Post Measure

The scout ship continued to stalk its prey under invisibility screens. For the past three days, they had followed where both alien vessels traveled. Inside the dark bridge, the scouting Alpha sat in his command chair, as he stared at the information that was displayed on the main viewer.

"Target the closer vessel," he growled to his tactical officer.

The young female worked her controls, and the image on the viewscreen shifted to show the shimmering ghost of an image of the large vessel that seemed to be tracking after the primary prey. "They have some sort of invisibility screens, Alpha," she reported respectfully. "However, our sensors are able to pierce most of the energy field. The vessel is clearly a warship. Although, how heavily armed it is is still unknown at this time."

The Alpha leaned back in his seat, as he contemplated this information. "An alien warship that is hunting our prey," he mused softly to himself.

He was about to issue the order to attack, then the tactical board emitted a warning alarm.

"Sir!" The tactical officer exclaimed. "Both alien vessels have just entered the Zynari Territories!"

"All stop!" The Alpha barked to his helm officer. "Verify scans! Are they truly entering the nonnavigable sector?!"

The tactical officer double checked her sensor logs, then looked at her commanding officer, her one remaining eye wide in disbelief. "Confirmed, Alpha! Both alien vessels have entered the restricted sector! They do not appear to be altering their course any."

The Alpha cobs8swred his next steps. Every Galatonian vessel had standing orders from the Alpha Quern Herself, to never reenter the territory that is controlled by the energy-based lifeforms, known as the Zynari. "Plot their course. Supposing they continue on a straight line through the Zynari Territories, figure out where they will exit. That will be we will be in hiding, waiting to strike!"

Both Tactical officer and the science officer consulted their charts. The tactical office put a galaxy map on the main viewer. "If they remain of their course, they will exit the territory...here." an mark appeared where the vessels would reenter open space.

"Helm, plot a course around the Zynari Territories, to get us to that exit point before the aliens reach open space, maximum thrust!"

"Aye, Alpha!" The junior helmsman, who was the youngest son of an influential pack member. He was on this patrol in order to gain some recognition. He worked his controls, then put the planned course around the Zynari Territories. "At maximum thrust, we will reach the rendezvous location , in four days, eleven hours."

"Proceed," the Alpha stated evenly.

The helmsman nodded then pressed several controls. The viewscreen shifted to show the stars slipping past as the scout ship turned to port. Then engaged full thrust. At that speed, however, their invisibility screens will be less than effective. However, there was no other choice.

Once the order was given, the scout vessel vanked sharply to port, then flashed into warp, as her engines were pushed to full power. Now, it was a race to see who would reach the other side of the sector first.

~OFF~