“Alright, you two, please sit down so I may begin the presentation.”

  The briefing room wasn’t very large by default. It had a really comfortable floor matting, which was pleasant to walk around with my feet, and very few seats, with optional arms that could be used for support to hold something, like a holopen to mark answers in a holopad. Besides this being the room for our mission debriefings, this was also the place Jake used for my quick WSO training. Aside from all that, it was just a relatively plain white room. I’ve noted humans liked these for some reason for their office space, i wonder why?

  Director Laupi was sitting behind a small table next to the holoboard up front, with Jake right beside them, and no one else around, since this meeting was for just me and Mariana. Since she wasn’t making the first move, I grabbed one of the seats on the east side of the room, across from Laupi. Mariana grabs a seat opposite to mine, on the west side.

  Getting up, Laupi wastes no time in getting the holoboard on, revealing a slide with various details about the Excelsior. “A bit of backstory before we start. Before the federation came, the Yotul were in the middle of what humans call an ‘industrial revolution’. We didn't have any yet, but I was fascinated in creating the first flying machine.”

  She pauses to catch her breath, and then continues. “When the federation arrived, I was fascinated with their technology, and quickly joined their efforts to learn more about it. I think i don’t need to tell you how brutal it was to me and our entire species, but i’ve… endured.”

  I always felt bad for the Yotul. I never properly knew one of them, until now at least, but seeing them harassed on the streets of Venlil Prime always felt wrong to me.

  “But with the federation, I ultimately earned knowledge that I would never be able to achieve even with three lifespans, which culminated into what I dubbed the ‘Phase Skimmer’ engine, which I will come back to later. I had everything ready: a functioning experiment, my notes on how to operate, all my research , and the data to prove that it actually worked. So, I showed it to the principal Kolshian who managed my university. That was terribly naive from me back when.”

  She swings her tail to indicate resentment. “He laughed off at me because of my uplifting status, calling me nicknames and stupid and dumb, taking away everything I worked for too himself, which made him ultimately assign me to a junior position as engineer on some patrol ship.” She, using her side facing eyes, looks at me with anger, which scares me a little.

  Jake, however, quickly comes to Laupi’s side. “Director, please don’t drift away from the main topic.” Mariana follows up with a quick cough.

  “Right, of course, sorry.” She straights her posture. “Anyway, ever since the technocracy got its independence, they have assigned me to weapons research because of my previous work, but I've been secretly working on the Excelsior after my later research got stolen. It was not long ago until I was able to work on it officially, with Mariana defeating the herd masters in the battle of Tellis.”

  She looks at her, proud, but Mariana just stares at her. “Well, everything was almost officially ready. All me and my team needed to work out was how to remake the engine’s power source, which I thought would take about [1 month].”

  “If it wasn’t for our contributions.” Jake takes over, pointing at one part of the slide. “As some may or may not have known, the black hole station we attacked a while ago was actually a kolshian research station, called Orqus. Before being sucked by the black hole, they transmitted a ton of data directly to Aafa.

  This data gave us many manufacturing ‘techniques’, as the kolshians themselves named it, that is allowing us to greatly speed up production of the fleet that we hope will end the war. And we didn’t even get all of the data!”

  “And one of the pieces of data that we got was the current herd master fighter craft, called ‘Eeree’, that, thanks to a research agreement signed between the UN and the Technocracy, allowed us to view the data.” Laupi points at the image of the Excelsior. “As it turns out” She begins to giggle. “The kolshians took my engine and just turned it into a regular ship power generator. That’s why their hull is so exposed and why they can field and fire all those cannons and railguns simultaneously." She begins thumping her tail, but stops. “Ahhhh, how fucking ironic.”

  Before I can ask what the Phase Skimmer engine is, she straightens her researcher jacket, and stops me before I open my mouth. “Now, the engine itself and by extension, Excelsior.” She continues. “The Phase Skimmer engine is in it of itself both a power generator and a warp drive combined into one. Normally, these two are separated, being parts of the ship at large, but they need to work together in order for the fighter system to work.”

  Fighter system? Is she talking about things like flares and chaff?

  “When I was studying how FTL worked, I learned how an object's weight affected spacetime around an object, sublight speeds and how we used that for our warp drives. I then noticed how in order to activate the warp drive, you needed to divert power from other systems, like weapons and shields, which could leave you vulnerable if you needed to escape. So, I initially designed the engine to do just that, combine the two parts so it could be online even during initiation of subspace travel.

  And later on, as I found out, it would also increase the energy efficiency of the power generator side of the ship exponentially, allowing an eightfold increase in strength while retaining its original size. And although I succeeded, I ran into the problem with the design: the ship’s weight.

  Simply put, the heavier a ship is, the less ‘stable’ the engine becomes. The less stable, the more likely it is to overheat itself up and blow up when initiating a warp sequence, not even entering subspace properly. In the tests I'm about to show you, I've concluded the most stable and safest application of the new engine was on shuttle and fighter sized vessels. Which leads me to the Excelsior.”

  She moves the slide around, bringing an image of a schematic of what appears to be the Excelsior, pointing at various parts of it. “After my previous research was stolen, I've worked hard to recover what was lost and improve upon my original designs. I delved deeper into the stability issue, wanting to fix it in the next iteration, but I couldn't, as I found out it was an inherent design flaw. But, through it, I learned some unexpected quirks which I then put to the engine as features.

  Basically, when mounted on a shuttle or fighter sized vessel, as a side-effect of the said stability issue, you could reconfigure the warp drive part of the engine to do ‘micro’ warp jumps at any time you wanted, even in combat. You would go faster than light for a split second on where the vessel is pointed at, re-appearing some distance away from where you started the jump. Hence, I gave the engine a new name, which is also the ship system’s name, Phase Skimmer.”

  “So, in short, and simplified, the Excelsior can essentially ‘dash’ a short to medium range in the direction it’s traveling at, while maintaining full combat efficiency before and after the dash.”

  WOW. I thought to myself. Now that I think about it, from an engineering stand point, that's probably why it has those four wings in the back: more stability for the fighter after each jump. I’ve seen some Krakotl ships use those.

  She pushes her glasses near her eyes. “Also, just to be clear, this is not the same as using a warp engine at sublight speeds inside a civilized system to travel around more efficiently. While the Excelsior also has that as part of its standard ship protocol, like any shuttle or military ship, it does not activate the Phase Skimmer, since it’s not going at the appropriate speed.”

  “So this is, if understood correctly, an Alcubierre drive with modern FTL sciences attached on steroids, right director?” Mariana looks closely at the screen. “The G force it must apply at each jump must be immense, and to do so frequently to use it effectively then…”

  “Good observation, Mariana. While I don't know who this Alcubierre is, you're right about the latter. And because I was required to remove certain parts of the gravity manipulation of the Excelsior because of another limitation of the engine itself, It was one of the reasons I needed a capable pilot to fly the mark one, and only after you defeated the herd masters did the technocracy allow me to build the Excelsior accordingly. Also, I might add since we are on this subject, that the system can only dash as long as it doesn't overheat, but I've added safety precautions for that, so it shouldn't be a problem.“

  “Oh, and before I forget, you’ll have full control over the system, Mariana,” Laupi adds.

  “Can I have a copy of the schematics for later? I would like to analyse it for myself.”

  “Of course.”

  “...so, what now?” I ask curiously after that scientific exchange with Mariana and Laupi.

  The Director's hindclaws scrape the floor, breaking the matting and making a terrible screech around the metal surface beneath it that forces me to cover my ears. She, on the other claw, makes an ear flick to indicate amusement. “This concludes the introduction part of the technical presentation, and now, we can go do hands-on-learning training. Since there are no simulations available, we’ll have to use the Excelsior itself, which shouldn't be much of a problem, coming from your past professions. After that, we can do live exercises. Follow me to the hangar.”

  Memory Transcription Subject: Vollek, Apex 1 Weapon System Officer

  Date [standardized human time]: January 6, 2137

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  I looked over my monitor, displaying all the current information of the fighter, even the human satellite attached by the umbilical cable on the back while we were in the middle of a FTL jump. The cable wasn’t flitching or wrangling out widely, being like a steel solid beam to our ship, firmly connected between the satellite and us. <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | That damned Yotul scientist: <>

  I breathe a sign through my mask. <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | Laupi: <>

  Oh I know it. But if you could take me seriously, that would be another matter entirely.

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  I look at one of my screens to the right. <<[50 seconds]>>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  As if Mariana needs to be told to stay silent.

  With a thump, we drop off FTL and into normal space, directly on the outskirts of the heart of the federation, the Aafa system. On the upper left view of the cockpit, I could see the outermost gas giant of the system, a gray green leviathan, with its fantastic ice ring spinning in the black background of stars of space. Although it was beautiful to look at, we didn’t choose this specific location to start the mission out of randomness.

  I begin to disconnect the cable from our fighter using my controls, retracting fully to the fighter. One of the main differences of the Excelsior’s WSO seat compared to the seat from the previous fighter we used was that this one fully made use of my side facing vision, unlike the previous one, with screens and dashboards on my sides to update me and change the status of the craft, with the controls occupying the rest of the space and the middle, which greatly increased my efficacy. This wasn’t out of the kindness of Laupi’s heart, however, as she ‘projected’ I would have become a lot more efficient for Mariana if these changes were made.

  I finished the procedure to detach the cable, and surely enough, something began to happen. A massive radar ping appeared right behind us, the satellite, practically screaming to the entire system to be found. Without a word, Mariana began speeding us directly into the ice ring as fast as she could. I don’t know how fast this fighter was, but it was fast. Midway through the journey, the radar started to ping nearby subspace readings approaching the satellite: they were taking the decoy.

  “Need to initiate a phase skim, otherwise we aren’t gonna make it.” She speaks through her mask, avoiding the radio. Looks like she saw the pings as well through her radar. “Embrace. 1, 2-”

  I clutch my stomach in knots as fast as I could, ready for another one of these dashes. Without even a blink, the gas giant in front of us comes a lot closer to view, the lines of light going by us in less than a second, not having the time to process and I have barely the time to process the amount of forward momentum my chest and face are receiving. I looked down, a breath I didn't know I was holding came out. Wait no, that’s just the air in my lungs being pulled back. I began doing the breathing exercise Jake taught me during training yet again, squeezing my legs and my back, practically having memorised it by this point.

  I almost passed out in the first test of these Phase Skims back at base, if I didn't remember this exercise at the last [second]. These dashes are the first time ever that I'm feeling braced around Mariana’s fighter “maneuvers”, if they can even be called that, and although I'm getting used to it overtime, they are taking their tow.

  After feeling better and getting my breathing in order, I loosed and looked upwards again to see how close we were, or if we crashed into anything, losing the grip on my claw on my seat.

  The gas giant was now right in front of us, practically covering the entire cockpit view. Surrounding us, the ice ring, with an untold number of ice rocks. I looked at my monitors, and they said that we were in the gas giant’s stationary orbit, and we were moving along with the ice ring itself. My radar, meanwhile, said we were right behind one of the ice rocks, moving along it in orbital resonance. It looks like while I was getting myself back together, Mariana parked us in a place clear enough to hide our heat signature, all as planned. How she is able to handle these ‘skims’ is beyond me.

  The subspace pings finally approach the satellite, with dozens of normal pings replacing them, and our radio system springs online.

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  It takes a few moments, but the private reports back. <>

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <>

  In a moment, the radar bursts with multiple readings of plasma fire, and afterwards, the satellite ping then disappears.

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  The comms go silent for a moment. <>

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <

  >

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <<...Of course, captain. It's just..all the stress recently. I’m sorry.>>

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <>

  If this wasn’t so important and not sounding the alarm wasn’t our top priority, I would have turned on the radio and screamed at both of them. That last bit of the conversation pissed me off, calling predators, humans and probably Gojids too, mindless beats incapable of empathy was such bullshit. Sure, some humans I've met aren’t the nicest, but everyone else agreed that these humans are also annoying and rude. What I would do to give a piece of my mind-

  “Vollek.” Marianas calls me out from the cabin.

  “Yes?” I responded.

  “Turn off everything that isn’t the radio and the radar. Turn on your suit's emergency oxygen.”

  I comply and immediately start working as fast as I could, giving that was almost trailing off a second ago. I don’t know what came over me, the heat emissions from the fighter all turned up will almost certainly give us out, even with that ice between us. The radio and the radar, however, with their minimal power requirements from the engine, should give us a low enough signature to pass by them. With a final click, I turn the life support off, darkening the cockpit.

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  I relax my posture, and begin to see if my claws were sharp or dull enough. As a former engineer, these types of scans take a little while to complete, and with almost all of our systems dark, we’re practically safe, but there isn’t much to do. I begin doing a mockup of the breathing exercise, just in case we do another dash again.

  But then something clicks in my head, after remembering what the kolshians said. Didn’t the destruction of the satellite basically prove General Jones theory?

  The human woman with green eyes blinked at us. Her background is a plain gray, not giving me a clue to where she might be. “Good evening doctor. It’s great to see you. And of course, you to Ratih, Mariana, and Vollek.”

  “Jones.” General Ratih replies. Mariana stays lip tight.

  “You’re general jones, correct?” I inquired. It wasn’t surprising they knew who I was, given she was here to debrief us, but I had other questions. “I’m sorry, but I've looked your name in the UN website before you arrived, and it didn’t show any results. Why is that?”

  She smirks for a second. “That’s because Jones isn’t my full and actual name. It’s a nickname just like yours, Rational. Also, we removed any mention of me on the version of the internet we send to the federation for both diplomatic and security purposes.”

  “Oh.” I pause. “Why?”

  “That’s another matter we’ll discuss another time. Right now, let's focus on the briefing.” She changes her focus to the Ratih. “General, start by explaining the current situation.”

  Ratih goes to the front of the screen and of us. “As of right now, we have full access to the general federation internet and FTL information network. We know what they say and hear. Besides that, the UN is working overtime to infiltrate and compromise every system inside the federation, which ties to the next point.”

  The screen Jones is being displayed flashes, revealing a map of the Aafa system. She takes over. “Thanks to Apex’s efforts at research station Orqus, we’ve learned a lot about the federation at its core.

  According to the recordings from your mission and the files you helped to recover, the federation is not actually led by the parliament on Aafa, but a shadow government co-led by both the Kolshians and the Farsul, called the Shadow Caste. Based on the FTL transmissions between the research station and their members, we believe both of their main bases of operation are in their home planets.”

  I remember back at our last mission, and having so many questions about what was happening. One of them was why were only the Farsul and the Kolshian answering the hail? Sure they were two of the original founders of the federation, but the black hole itself wasn't also too far from the territory of Yulpa, and they are loyal subjects to the federation until the end. A secret society that controlled us? How? We had planetary governments separate from the federation, and although some were dictatorships and others were monarchies, there were a lot that were democratic, like the Venlil republic and the Gojid union, which I guess would be harder to control.

  Wait. That’s right, Cilaly reporting with Chief Nikonis. He did know an awful lot about who were predators before the federation arrived before our first contact. Maybe he is also part of this Shadow Caste?

  She continues. “After learning this information, we’ve tried to search more about them in the current infiltrated network we control. Unfortunately, we now know that besides being in a completely separate network from the rest of the federation, their most important defenses are also in this network, which are prime targets for us.”

  Ratih applies the map to show several highlights. “While we won’t be able to hack into them to gain an advantage, Aafa in particular has several points of infrastructure we know nothing about, at least, as much as we would like.

  While Talsk had only a small flotilla to protect its system, which was shattered with the attack of the Arxur a while back, the Kolshians have, as far as we can gather, almost doubled the amount of military ships they have patrolling the system.

  If we want to attack Aafa soon, we need information about their strong points and their weak points to plan our strategy accordingly. Specifically, their three ‘supposed’ research stations on Caato, their asteroid field between it and Aafa, and Aafa’s moon. But most importantly, gather said information without alerting them, otherwise, they may change their strategy.”

  “But how are we going to do that? And why we? If I remember correctly, you have stealth shuttles or frigates, one of them helped us at the research station.” I ask.

  “Ratih, Doctor, please explain to them my package you brought with you.” Jones waves a hand at them.

  “I’ll start.” The Yotul comes to front, a split of pride gleaming from her eyes and her ears wiggling to show content. “The satellite we towed here isn’t actually a normal satellite, but a bait. A toy. Since subspace warp jumps can be traced when entering and exiting a system, especially one as on high alert as Aafa’s, there is no way to enter safely, unless you stop one light year short of it and continue the journey at sublight speeds. Else, they would probably find you in the middle of your mission on a random patrol not long after. And even if you could, you couldn't directly stop on top of Aafa, since they had set up FTL disruptors all around the center of the system and near the planet.

  You are going to release this dummy after you arrive, which will create a signal to quickly attract nearby patrols. The goal is making them think we are sending probes through Aafa with FTL engines, not you, and letting them think we are sending more through onto the system, allowing for you to more easily complete your objectives. There is also a secondary goal to this, depending on their response, which is-”

  “Doctor, you know that information is classified.” Jones' eyes loom over Laupi, raising a finger over her. “You surmised well enough. With the flight plan me and Zhao planned for you, you will arrive near the system’s farthest planet, a gas giant with an ice field. Detach the probe immediately, and hide inside it. Let them take the bait. And afterwards, complete your objectives. Doctor?”

  “Right. If the Gojid hasn’t noticed already, I've altered the Excelsior’s missile systems a little bit. As you both know, the weapons system’s it’s still in its infancy, with only an extremely limited number of low-yield high explosive missiles on its wings using the terran missile system from your previous aircraft, because of the wings necessary thinness.

  Still, as it is by design a 3D printer for missiles, the general gave me the necessary knowledge to temporarily convert it to 3D print a sizable spy satellite, which you will deliver at each location. Besides this, the shield breaker missiles and your installed plasma cannon are still untouched"

  “There are going to be several points we want to target on the asteroid field, but for each planet, one satellite will be enough.” Ratih points to the map.

  That’s a lot of information to take in, loads of details. I did notice before we got here that the payload for one of the missiles had changed, but I decided to keep it to myself, hoping they would answer it. I think I got the main points across, with the dummy satellite and our real, spy satellites, however, one question remains. “Still, why us?”

  “Simple.” Jones smiled. “Laupi asked for it.”

  “What?!”

  The Yotul quickly pushed me in. “It is the perfect opportunity to benchmark the Excelsior in a real-life environment dangerous enough to test its strains without direct combat engagement. Once the Technocracy heard of the UN’s plans for this mission, I submitted Apex and the Excelsior to join, pointing out how the prototype was in a reliable state, and the benefits in comparison of those excuses of ‘stealth’ vessels.”

  “But weren’t the tests and those drilling operations we did back at base already good enough?! We-”

  “Laupi, I wanted to ask the same question: Why?” Mariana finally speaks, getting up from her chair.

  The director is quite shocked by her pushback. She probably expected me to lash out, but not her. “Mariana, please, you're an exceptional aviator. It isn’t a suicide mission, nor it is my intention to send you into you, and with the plan-”

  “Enough with the praising bullshit.” She closes her arms, looking over her. “I ain't a soldier, but I've been here long enough to know that shit can get out of control very quick, pretty fast even if everything is all in order. This isn’t like a project with a tight deadline where you can take coffee breaks. It’s like taking care of a conveyor belt that puts out live bombs randomly.”

  “But-”

  “No. You should know better than anyone that the methodology to gather data is only applicable as the circumstances you use to gather it. You’re putting both of us in very serious danger, Laupi, even bigger than Tellis.” She sighs. “I should have known something was up.”

  “And then there is you.” She turns to face Jones on the screen, gleaming at her with slated eyebrows. Mariana continues. “As soon as we departed from the Mistral, Jake was placed as second in command, as per protocol. But when we arrived here, I received word that he got orders from higher in the chain of command to move to Talsk. I don’t suppose you have a hand with any of this?”

  “While it was me that requested this change, as you deduced, it was with general Zhao’s review and approval, Mariana.” Jones stated.

  “I made my point clear with Zhao that Apex isn’t going to be part of any planetary invasion! Their defenses have been destroyed by the Arxur, like Ratih said, you can slip any number of your ships inside, so why do you need Farzam and Michel for exactly? Conventionally when I'm away from them?”

  “First, understand that not only us, Mariana, but our allies, different species that support humanity, are fighting a war of total annihilation. Apex squadron is a military fighting force, not a charity. We need to use every resource available to us, otherwise, who knows how many more will die. We can’t simply not use our best aces because their leader has a grudge against it. The needs of the few can’t outweigh the needs of the many.”

  While I somewhat agree with Jones, I've never seen Mariana this mad before. I would be too, if she called me out like that on me. She continues. “Answering your question, your squadron has been called to…deliver some submarines to Talsk’s oceans. Your fighters have enough weight capacity to transport them safely through the planet’s atmosphere, without alerting their PDF.”

  “Submarines.” Mariana stops for a moment, putting a hand on her temple and sighing. “Afterwards?”

  “They will leave the system. Apex is simply being called as cargo haulers, not part of an invasion force.”

  She looks at the screen with jaded eyes. “Ok, that’s all I have to say.” She gets back to sitting, sighing as she puts both of her hands on her forward facing vision.

  I feel pity towards her. My gut is telling me I should do something, but I think it is best to leave it quiet for now.

  Ratih adjusts herself. “To conclude, since Captain Laguna is unavailable, both me and the director are going to remain on this station to guide you throughout your mission. It is a nearly built, but highly advanced listening post that is going to be used to monitor the satellites you deploy after your mission ends.

  Because of the amount of security inside the system, and to not potentially disturb the kolshians, radio silence will be required between both of us, and only broken when absolutely necessary. With that, you are both dismissed, Mariana, Vollek.”

  Turning back, the Ratih stares at Jones right in her eyes. Jones gives a half smile. “I need to attend to other matters as well. Good luck on your mission, Apex.”

  The screen then flicks back to the one that was there before the call began. There was a lot of stuff I needed to think over, but I could do that after the mission was over, since director Laupi would just yap my ear off my own thoughts, probably calling me lazy or some xenophobic slur. I get up, ready to start going to the airlock.

  “Ratih.” Mariana calls the general, who turns to them. “What is that secondary objective Laupi spoke about?”

  Laupi, who herself looks at Mariana after her name is mentioned, looks at the general afterwards. They both look at each other for a moment.

  “Sorry, like Jones said, that information is classified.” Ratih reverberates.

  Ratih then puts her left hand on her mouth and coughs, and then motions to the microphone attached by a thin cable. She then also grabs her holopad, a finger in the camera and microphone speaker, shaking it around like it meant something. Is this some sort of tail or ear language humans use? Because I don't get it.

  Mariana however, seems to get what she is saying. Ratih then points to one of the drawers below the computer screen’s desk, which she opens to reveal it’s fully matted with some kind of fur? Whatever it is, it gets both Mariana’s and Laupi’s attention.

  Without saying a word, Mariana gets her holopad out of the flight suit’s pocket, and Laupi gets hers out of her pouch, while the general disconnects the cable. They all put their pads in the drawer.

  “I’m confused. What is going on?” I question.

  “Give me that.” Suddenly, Laupi jumps near me, using her dexterous legs to quickly pounce and grabs my own holopad sticking out of my suit’s pocket.

  “What the hell!” I shout at her as she puts my own holopad at the drawer, and the general closes it.

  Ratih lets out a big breath. “It is good when your country is in charge of building these stations, because you know where they put the soundproof and faraday cage drawer Jones ordered for them, for ‘sensitive materials’. Hm.”

  “What?!” I shouted.

  “Oh, so she is also spying on us, General Ratih?” Director Laupi twists her ears.

  “Correct. On all of us.” Ratih affirms. “Although telling you this is technically subversion of authority and can be classified as treason, don't mention this to anyone or talk about it afterwards, at least, away from any piece of technology with a microphone attached.”

  “Shit.” Mariana whispers, me barely hearing it.

  “I’m only doing this because of what you did for my nation and my family, Mariana. Among the people you saved on the federation incursion on Earth, my wife and son were among them.”

  “She did what?!” I shouted again.

  “General, please, just answer my question.”

  “Right, sorry.” She shakes her head. “Recently, we’ve found several space probes at the edge of Alpha Centauri, which, as you might be aware, is our primary military research and manufacturing complex for the war. They were highly sophisticated, as when we found them, none of our attempts to remotely take control of it worked, and when we tried to approach one to directly connect to it, it scrubbed both itself and all other probes around the system simultaneously.”

  “When we hauled it back and analyzed it, we found some pretty disturbing things. For one, it was a piece of technology that didn’t resemble those made by the dominion or the federation. It was different. And second, they had been there for what we believe to be around a month, and during that time, it had been transmitting information secretly between several proxies using federation and dominion credentials. What information it was transmitting, or if they even hacked us is unknown, and that has got the higher military staff spooked, and Jones surprised.”

  Mariana rocks back her head. “So the dummy probe we are bringing along is to see if the federation is responsible?”

  “Correct.” Laupi nods. Did she make a human gesture? “She firmly believes that either of them are responsible. She has several theories, but the one she is testing right now is revolving their response to a similar foray. Basically to see if the incursion on Alpha Centauri was a calculated move by the general faction. Since this shadow caste also probably controls the kolshian government as well, they probably control its military in the system, and have its officers all around it.”

  Laupi lushes back her tail. “When they come to investigate the probe, and depending on their response to it, which we will be watching, we will see if it was all a plan by this shadow caste. Probably. As for the dominion side, it is currently not our problem, as Jones is looking over that..”

  So much stuff to go over. Spying, more satellites, but what I'm focused on is that I now have another piece of Mariana’s past. If I remember correctly, Earth still has nation states, primitive tribe-like societal structures that predate an actual species government, according to what my mom taught me. And she saved one of them? So many questions, no answers.

  Mariana sighs. “Great. Fucking amazing.”

  “That’s the general mood around us as well, but don’t worry, I think the dummy probe will give you safe entrance through the system. Now remember, don’t tell what we just said to anyone else. Let me get your pads back.” She scurried to the closed drawer, opening it. “Oh, I almost forgot! Vollek?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “O-oh yeah, that’s my name, yes.” I said, jumping in surprise as I was zoned out listening to them, and trying to process all the other information at the same time.

  She gets the holopad on the top, and since I was the last one to give it, she intuitively gives it to me. “Your father's name is Savvek, right?”

  “Yes, how did you know?”

  "Ever since the attack on the Arxur farms, I had been placed in charge of handling the cattle rescues on Khoa along with the Mazic. Recently, he came to my office, asked all about you and your squadron, practically bossing over the Mazic. We had a good talk, discussing his military career before leaving Solvin. He grabbed an old friend of his, a Thafki, before leaving.”

  I chuckled, chewing a claw out of slight embarrassment. “I hope he didn't call you a predator.”

  “He did, but it will be a little while before that goes away. He said he was proud of your new job and the man that you are becoming.”

  I flip my ear in contentment. It’s been a little while since we have spoken, but it’s great to know he is still sure what I'm doing is best. In the corner of my prey's vision, curiously, I see Laupi, dead silent watching us, completely motionless like stone. That 's strange.

  As the general grabs another holopad, she notices Laupi. “Hm, Director? Are you shaking? Is something wrong?”

  “N-n-nothing!” She stutters, drifting awkwardly backwards with her hands on her pouch. “What is there to be wrong about? Haha. I don’t have any!”

  I twist my head. “Are you ok-”

  “Just grab the stupid pads and go! The quicker you do this mission, the better!”

  <> The officer snaps me out of my trance of thought.

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <> There is an impatience in his voice.

  Well, the moment of truth. I held my breath.

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  There is a quiet murmur on the radio, like the captain is speaking something, but the interference, his low voice and him being away from his microphone make it hard to know what he is saying.

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  Before long, the captain responds. <>

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  Aafa Kolshian Captain: <

  >

  Aafa Kolshian Officer: <>

  It takes a little longer, but then, they finally jump away from us and the gas giant, their radar signals blipping far away from us. I breathe a sigh of relief.

  The plan is so far working. Perfectly, I might add.

  “We should be safe now.” Mariana speaks. “Please Vollek, get everything online again.”

  Not waiting to spend more time in Aafa than needed, I began doing just that. With a few flicks and pulls, the remaining dashboards that weren't the radar came back online, as did our life support, engines, weapons and shields. With another flick, the thrusters were back, and we were ready to move again.

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  Apex 1 | Mariana: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  Apex 1 | Mariana: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  Without needing further encouragement, Mariana aligns us to the planet, and we begin our journey. After dodging some rocks, we were finally out of the ice field, and straight ahead to Caato. Feeling the speed pick up, I begin to wonder about Jones' plan, as I watch the stars pass by. In standard ship sublights speeds, we should get there in no time.

  They destroyed it almost immediately after learning what it was. I reckon. Ratih and Laupi said that Jones was testing if this was a “calculated move by the general faction”, but that captain seemed obvious to what it was. Either he was out of the loop, or this “Shadow Caste” wasn’t part of the espionage attempt at that military facility of humanity? Either way, he seemed pretty shocked.

  And what about Laupi, before me and Mariana went off? What spooked her so much? We were only talking about my father, and for someone who hates Gojid’s, she seemed shocked just hearing that name. It is pretty strange, all considered

  After a little more time just staring at space, I felt a pressure on my belt, I looked outside the window to see our destination. Just as I suspected, we arrived at Caato. The planet itself wasn’t much, it was just another barren desert planet without many resources, common in the federation. What was special about this one, besides the research station we were targeting, was that this was the first Koshian attempt at colonization of another planet, according to my mother’s history class, making them the first sapient’s to do so.

  There are almost no satellites here in orbit that our own radar can detect, and almost no ships from the kolshian armada nearby, thankfully. We maneuver ourselves around its orbit, making sure we are far away and close enough so the satellite is in its perfect position, trying to remain hidden while also looking for the research base itself.

  After a bit of searching using my magnifier and looking out the glass of the cockpit, we finally found it: white looking shapes of blocks, strings and other geometric objects sprayed around seemingly randomly on the reddish surface of the planet, the target.

  “Spotted.” I said, pointing my claw out the window. “You see it too, right?”

  “Yeah, let me get a good angle. Laupi is sending data over here.” Mariana tapped a few buttons.

  She shifted the craft, moving the nose slant slightly horizontally and vertically to better align the fighter’s to the planet’s diagonally. After that, she recoiled the Excelsior back a little, and waited. “Laupi said it’s good to launch."

  Doing my part, I began the sequence to start the spy satellite. With a few more screen and button presses, it began assembly. Since it was more complex and a little bulkier than a normal missile, it took a little bit to set up, but at least there was a progress bar to let me know it’s progress. When it reached 100%, I clicked on the nearly appeared button to launch it, and watched as it passed after us when it detached.

  It traveled a little forward before finally stopping in place, and two little antennas sprouted out of its black hull. One of the dashboards in my seat received an alert.

  ID Confirmed. Caato satellite successfully dispatched. It said. Now to the asteroid field.

  Engaging the trusters sideways, Mariana aimed at us right at our next destination, blasting at sublight speed.

  Apex 1 | Mariana: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  “It 's the plan.” I hear her whisper, and then sigh.

  We arrived at the entrance of the asteroid field. Just like the gas giant’s ice field before, it was full of rocks, but of course, they stretched farther, wider, and around Aafa and its star. Before, I didn't know they had research stations over here, but then again, these might not be research stations at all, more like military bases for the kolshian military, like the one we got trouble at on that black hole. Methodically, we enter the field, being surrounded again by gigantic moving asteroids, Mariana working to make sure we are not hit.

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  Checking the Radar, I double-take to make sure I wasn't getting anything wrong. That’s basically the entire belt they are asking us to cover! Afff, let’s hope we are fast enough.

  The first two ones are easy enough as they are right next to each other, which we deploy without issue. Charlie to Delta becomes a little tricky, as we are barely scrapped by an asteroid we didn’t notice right at us! Thankfully, we barely dodged it, only slightly damaging our shields, and we completed Delta without trouble after that. It was only after we made through Echo and ‘Foxtrot’ that I began to notice that, through the naked eye, we didn’t find any bases so far, only asteroids. Not even my radar is detecting anything. Maybe they are hidden inside the rock? There is no indication from the outside, however.

  Finally, we reached the last destination, Golf. We were standing near one of the largest comets I have seen so far on the field, but, like all others, there was nothing of note except its size. Slowly, Mariana began to set us up in position, and i began the required sequence to laun-

  Suddenly, a new request appeared on one of my dash boards. I thought it was a message Laupi sent for us, until I got closer at it: It was a hail request. Someone was hailing us.

  Oh crap.

  “Fuck.” Mariana cursed.

  I looked around on either side of the cockpit to make sure I didn't see any ships nearby. I then looked at my radar. Both nothing, empty space. The system is also not helping, not being able to detect where it is originating. Where are we getting hailed from?!

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | Laupi: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  A few tense seconds pass. <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  She huffs, and then a clear palm of static is followed by Ratih’s voice. <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  Aafa Listening Post | General Ratih: <>

  Without thinking once, I press the accept button over my dashboard, fearful of what would happen otherwise. A voice with no face reverberated throughout the cabin.

  ???: <> The kolshian voice puffs, slightly annoyed. <>

  Shit shit shit. Think of something, fast.

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  ???: <>

  It 's Mariana.

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  ???: <> He says, apathetic. <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  ???: <> I gulped. <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  ???: <>

  A shiver began descending down my quills. In my panic, I began improvising on the spot, just making stuff up as I got along, not thinking along the way. Of course there wouldn't be Gojid’s on Aafa right now, how could it, after Cilany’s report? They probably being subjected to protector know’s torture right now, unless the kolshians granted mercy to a few devolted followers. I might just have made things 10 times worse by lying.

  ???: <<...But there is something about it that I can't put my appendage on. Hmmmm…>>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  ???: <>

  ???: <>

  “Hum?” How does he know my name?

  I never, in my entire life, heard that voice before, and still…i’m curious. Where does he know me? Should I answer him? Heck, what should I do? I can’t ask for help from Ratih without breaking the line, or else they will know something is up or know a human is here.

  After [five seconds] of consideration, I said screw it. We're already too deep in this. If he knew me from Apex, he would have sounded the alarm already. I think his intentions are benevolent. <>

  ???: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  ???: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <> I don’t even know if the Excelsior has a hail camera.

  ???: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <> I say, irritated. Who the hell is this guy?!

  ???: <<...You don’t really recognize the voice of your best friend? Shit, they got you good.>>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <<...What?>>

  ???: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <> Sudelly, a small headache began to kick in. A pain in front of my scalp. The pressure was slightly annoying. <>

  Junalos: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <> I put my claws in front of my helmet, trying to cover my mouth, forgetting I had a helmet with a glass case on with a microphone inside. That was automatic!

  Junalos: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <> It happened again! What is going?! My head feels like it’s burning up, along with the pain, which is increasing. I want it to stop.

  Junalos: <>

  My headache is beginning to get worse. I don’t know how I could even get worse. We only began talking moments ago. I almost can’t think straight. I put my head down on my knees, trying to concentrate, putting my claws at the back of my helmet. <>

  <>

  Uggggggg

  Warning! Neural reconsolidation detected at this part of the transcript! Minor reconsolidation detected at: hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex.

  “Vollek, Vollek! Are you having a stroke?! Please for the love god tell me you're ok!” Someone snaps their fingers at my back seat.

  I get my head up from my knees, not realizing what I was doing before that. Protector, my head hurts so much. I can’t think straight. <>

  Junalos: <>

  Oh shit, right, the mission, I was talking to Junalos before he asked something about names, and…I don’t know what happened. Fuck, my head. <>

  Junalos: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <> Did I just say that?

  Junalos: <>

  SHIT.

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <> Without warning, my pain shots up. A loud ringing begins screeching my ears;

  Junalos: <>

  My head feels like someone hit it with a wrecking ball. I want to get my helmet off and start grabbing it and pulling my quills out from how much it hurts. I don’t know what to do. And I can't think straight with all this DAMN NOISE! But I need an answer! Think, think…

  The answer comes clear to me: Mom! Mom always knows best! Mom always takes care of me, through the deepest troubles! Even if she isn’t here, I know I can count on her!

  Junalos: <>

  Apex 1 WSO | Me: <>

  An awkward silence begins for a moment, before Junalos speaks. <>

  Did I do something wrong? <> I said inquisitively.

  <>

  The silence begins again, and all of the sudden, my headache clears up. What? What is he talking about?

  I decided to break it. <>

  Junalos: <>

  That…That can’t be. Mother is alive. We both survived that invasion! I remember exactly how it happened! The alarm bells rang out at the school, that the Arxur ship dropped and ate my friends, and I was paralysed, but she clutched me in her arms, whispering and reassuring me to stay calm, until we got to safety! And then we got to Venlil Prime with dad, where he retired!

  She clutched me in her arms until we got to safety!

  She clutched me in her arms until we got to safety!

  She clutched me…

  …

  ...

  I started shaking. Why…

  Why can't I remember anything between the raid and dad’s retirement?

  <>

  Warning! Neural reconsolidation detected at this part of the transcript! Reconsolidation detected at: hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex.

  “VOLLEK!”

  <

  >

  getoffgetoffgetoffscratchsractchstrachhburnsburnsvomitpainshakinghurtscontraintbangheadcrushingscreechthrustgetoutringingnoaircantbreathaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

  <>

  “Shit! That 's it! Fuck what ever the UN says, i’m getting you out of he-”

  <>

  <>

  <>

  ============================================

  Memory Transcription Subject: Laupi Tarkve, Current Weapons and Smallcraft Director for Apex Squadron

  Date [standardized human time]: January 6, 2137

  The general gives me a weary expression. “Are you sure what you are doing, Director?”

  “Yes, General.” No, of course I ain't. First, I learned that Vollek came back from the dead after being dragged out to who-knows-where, and now, one of his old friends is now talking to one another, me included. All of this on the same day. If it wasn’t for all the time I have with experience in shutting down my outer emotions, I would be freaking out.

  Mariana was right, and her scientific explanation was correct. I should have never suggested this.

  Honestly, from all that is happening right now, Ralshi could probably come out of the sun and tell everyone he is real, because what are the odds. But enough about that, I need to help Vollek out. I don’t know what happened to him, but it is obviously the captain’s doing. On the camera I installed in the cabin, me and the general are watching him having something between a panic attack and a seizure. He clutching his helmet tightly with his claws, trying to get into something of a fetus position while on a seatbelt, but then sporadically getting off it and grabbing the nearest tool he sees, until he then returns to that fetus position. Mariana is watching, horrified at this, not able to get her eyes off of him.

  What did that monster do to him?

  “Just man the technical controls for a moment, and call Jones. We need to tell her that we are going to abort the mission.”

  She only gives me a nod before going to the other side of the table as I hand her my communicator headpiece. I don’t know if she trusts me, but we are the only two people right now that can prevent this from going downhill any further. I grab the microphone tightly, and quickly relax myself. Besides all this, there hasn’t been a better time to confront my demons, and get some answers.

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  I hear a sign of relief over the speakers. <>

  I look over the camera again, seeing him have another spasm. Mariana is looking directly at the camera. <>

  Junalos: <> There is a quick break of silence to allow me to catch my breath. <>

  Laupi | Me: <> Let’s see how good I got at lying. <>

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  The general gives me a look. That look. The look that this goes all against what both of our species are trying to achieve. I hate myself for also doing this, but she must know that I must win his trust right now, for our all safety.

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <

  >

  In his vulnerable state, I finally made my accusation. The one that has been bubbling in me since I escaped that accursed ship all that time ago, and now, with him being guilty, and the other parts of the conversation from before I've been able to nickpick, I have full confidence to ask. <>

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  There was a moment of silence before that kolshian traitor spoke again. Even though I never knew many in Vollek’s group besides himself, if they got a similar fate as him, Junalos must get what is coming to him.

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  I started to hear the sound of sobbing coming from the speakers. Still, I keep my guard up. He could be tricking me

  Junalos: <>

  He started sobbing again. Well, whether he is lying or not, I don't think I'll be able to get any more out of him, especially in the current situation. I still need to deal with that hospital he called. Hopefully, he didn’t have time to book it.

  Laupi | Me: <>

  The sound of a nose sniffing clouds the speaker. <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <> The sounds of sobbing and his nose sniffing come back again. <>

  There is silence for a little bit, until he returns <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  Laupi | Me: <>

  Junalos: <>

  Junalos: <>

  With that, the hail ends. I breathe a huge sigh of relief, and knock myself back on my chair, putting my paw on my forehead. What an unbelievable amount of stress for a single woman, but at least, the situation has been averted.

  She is proven right again. It is like taking care of a conveyor belt that puts out live bombs randomly.

  Apex 1 | Supernova: <>

  Speaking of which. Getting up again, I grab the microphone. <>

  General Raith: <>

  WHAT? I turn towards the general, shocked. She was handling some multitude of windows on the screen, which right now, I didn't have the time to take notice of. “What has gotten into you, general?”

  Apex 1 | Supernova: <>

  I look at her with the exact same attitude. I thought we both agreed that Vollek needed medical attention! She gives me a guilty look, and unplugs the headpiece I was using to monitor the federation communications. <>

  Apex 1 | Supernova: <>

  General Jones: <>

  A shot of adrenaline gets through me, by the sudden reveal of Jones in our comms. How much has she been listening in?!

  Apex 1 | Supernova: <>

  General Jones: <>

  Apex 1 | Supernova: <>

  General Jones: <>

  Apex 1 | Supernova: <>

  Sparks and flashes fly around the screen all of the sudden, the display opening windows and popups and closing them as fast as they open. I cover my sensitive eyes before any of these could do any damage. Afterwards, I look at the screen in a look of disbelief. What in the love of-

  Apex 1 | Supernova: <>

  General Jones: <>

  Apex 1 | Supernova: <>

  In a flash, I looked at General Ratih. She looks as confused as I am, not knowing what is going on. I make a gesture with my tail to tell her to step aside, which she does without resistance. She hands over the communicator headpiece, and I start to look over, pressing at the keyboard with practiced efficiency, fully focused. I first began to enter the Excelsior systems, and immediately to the phase skimmer engine. I think I know what the problem is, or at least how to solve it, but I don't know how Jones got there.

  Since the Excelsior is still a prototype, I've engineered some commands at the beginning of its lifecycle to shut down certain features in case of catastrophic failure. The phase skimmer early on at lab trials was itself finicky, and I almost lost it one time, hence this feature. I later added a safeguard to prevent that from happening, and left the commands as backup in case anything happened. Jones must have used the command to disable warp jumps, but how?! She is our ally, dammit!

  Finally at the right directory, I began typing the command to restart the warp drive to get Mariana out of there, and pressed confirm.

  Access Denied.

  What? I typed again, I must have misspelled something.

  Access Denied.

  I punched the desk. “What the fuck is happening?! This is my machine! I have full access! Why can’t I-”

  “She hacked it.”

  I give a glance at my back, confused. “What?”

  “You connected the Excelsior to the station, which is connected to Jones department in the UN. I didn’t expect she could worm in, this fast, or that she would-”

  “Wait, is it that same hacking that she is using against the federation? Doesn’t that mean she has access to everything?”

  The general doesn't respond, only slowly nods.

  My…I already knew she was monitoring us, which I could understand for reasons of security for all of us, but what are the limits of this woman? Humanity was supposed to be our allies, but even they are infiltrating our systems like the federation?! What if they decide we aren’t worth the trouble, and just, take us over?! What if that ‘humanity first’ group is inside Jones' inner circle, and after the war is over, they kill our cities just like they killed the Excelsior’s warp drive?

  There are many inside the government that we say should be more self-reliant from others so we don’t repeat the same mistakes we did with the federation. I was in the pro-human group, saying we should be more interconnected with humanity for better technological progress, and I was one of the Yotul that created the agreement for technology sharing between the UN and the Technocracy. But, after today, learning all about this spying and betrayal, I firmly need to reconsider my beliefs.

  Right now, I can only stare at the Excelsior camera, horrified, the first time in [years]. I have no control, only being able to watch as events unfold.

  This is all my fault. All over again.

  ============================================

  Memory Transcription Subject: Vollek, Apex 1 Weapon System Officer

  Date [standardized human time]: January 6, 2137

  Breath, Breath. Count to 1. Inhale. Count to 4. Exhale. Breath.

  Mariana: <>

  Jones: <>

  Mariana: <>

  Breath. Count to 1. Inhale. Count to 4. Exhale.

  Jones: <