The Hunt Resumes

Posted on Tue Sep 2nd, 2025 @ 12:21pm by Conglomerate (Reece)

Mission: Season 6: Episode 6: Conglomerate
Location: Circinus Galaxy, near Zynari space
Timeline: MD 1 / 0254 hours
631 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

It had been nearly fifty cycles since the prey vessel had entered the territory of the hated Zynari. The Alpha was growing impatient with the way that the hunt was going. If he failed to bring a valuable prey back to the Queen, then his life, and those of his entire pack, would be void. At best, they would be killed. However, if the Queen chose to make an example out of them, they would be sent to the medical ships and operated on, the doctors turning their minds and bodies into the nightmarish creations that were the pack hunting hounds.

The hounds were barely sentient, having been lobotomized before the procedures were started. Afterwards, their bodies were taken apart and put back together, with various cybernetic implants included, making them an unstoppable force of carnage, waiting to let loose on unsuspecting prey. Once their bodies were put back together, their minds were worked on as well. All notion of conscious thought, or even any idea of self or morality, were completely erased. Computer programming and circuits were embedded into their brains, turning the hounds into completely loyal killing machines. Each one is hardwired to obey both the Alpha Queen and her mate. They are also programmed to follow the orders of their pack leader, provided those orders do not interfere with those of the Queen's and her mate's.

Aboard the Galatonian destroyer, the bridge was dark. The already low lighting was turned down even more, to indicate that it waa the overnight shift. The shift leader, a young warrior only three seasons into his blooding, sat at his station, the Tactical station, as he read the sensor reports. The command dias was empty, as only the Alpha was permitted to sit there.

As he continued to read, his board beeped a warning. He quickly looked over the readings, then snarled hungrily. He immediately contacted the Alpha, who was still in his quarters.

"What is it, Dr'allo?" The angry growl of the Alpha asked.

The junior officer bowed his head respectfully, as he replied. "Forgive the intrusion, Alpha, sensors have detected that the prey and its shadow are exiting Zynari space. Distance from current location, twelve hundred leagues."

The Alpha growled again as he got up. "Lay in an intercept course, maximum thrust! I will be on the bridge shortly. Notify senior staff to attend their stations." The channel cut off when the Alpha closed the communication call.

A few moments later, the bridge was filled with powerful beings, as the ship's senior staff occupied each station. Sitting in the center seat was Gar'uf, the Pack Alpha. He was a very impressive creature in his own right, standing nearly seven feet tall and covered in hard muscle. His fur was dark brown, with splashes of grey and black, and his eyes were a very cold, ice blue.

"Status!" He growled to his executive officer, a strong female, Felt'ga, who was nearly as tall as he was, but built with more of a lithe physique. Her fur was stark white, and her eyes were a similar bright blue.

Looking over from her tactical station, Felt'ga replied. "Our hunting screens are activated and working within proper levels. We will be exiting the conduit shortly. When we do, we will be withing five leagues of the prey ship and their shadow. All weapons are charged and ready, and all hounds are activated and ready to deploy."

Gar'uf nodded approvingly as he listened. "Good. Close distance with the prey. Activate hunting systems."

The bridge darkened again, as its various non-essential systems were shut down, to cut down on power output, essentially making the craft, and its two fellow ships, both smaler scout vessels, to run silent. The hunt was on.

~End~