Allison was feeling pretty rough as she walked into the Commonwealth school for her second day.  Her wrestling match with who she found out later was Plutonia had taken a toll on her body even with her nanites and dhampiric abilities healing injuries from werewolf claws and teeth took time and Plutonia had gotten her good even through her armor.  It had gone from glued up heavily bleeding gash to an angry red tender spot overnight.  She’d need another day at least to heal from it fully.  Or she’d need a dose of the super-blood developed by the Commonwealth doctor on her first visit to this galaxy.  She had none so she walked stiffly.  Her uniform top touching it was agony inducing.  Zelda bounced up beside her.


    “Hey, did you get to your thing in time last night?”


    Allison nodded.


    “Unfortunately.”


    Zelda giggled then she quirked her head to the side.


    “Are you okay?”


    Allison nodded.


    “I’m fine, just got into a wrestling match with a werewolf.”


    Zelda giggled again.


    “You’re so funny.”


    Allison silently wished she was just being funny.  The last time she remembered taking this long to heal it involved Sal’nash poisoning.  Zelda skipped along beside her.  She was a rather immature sixteen year old.  Allison didn’t mind.  It was nice to just be treated like a normal person for once.  No one knew her here and it was amazing.  Zelda spoke as they were nearing their first class.


    “So, are you team wolf, or vampire?”


    Allison raised an eyebrow.


    “They’re allies, I don’t see why I’d need to pick a team.”


    Zelda gasped.


    “Team Jacob, or Edward?”


    Allison shrugged.


    “Team neither.  I go for… erm… more…”


    She swept an image of Tyler to her data pad and showed it to Zelda.


    “That’s my boyfriend.  I think… still.  Maybe.  Anyway, that’s my type.”


    Zelda raised an eyebrow.


    “Maybe?”


    Allison blushed.


    “I’ve been a bit of a… just not the best girlfriend lately.  We went out for supper before I left and it was awkward.”


    Zelda hooked her arm into Allison’s.


    “Well, you’re here now it will give him time to miss you!  You want to come watch New Moon tonight after school?”


    Allison shook her head.


    “I can’t.  I am busy.”


    Zelda pouted.


    “Boo.  You always seem so serious.  Like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your back.  Even when we watched Twilight it was like you were somewhere else.”


    Allison sighed.


    “If only you knew.  You’re very perceptive.”


    Almost psychic Allison thought.


    Zelda nodded.


    “I’m Half-Rolarin, so I see auras… uh I’m an empath.  I’m getting a lot of deathy vibes from you but there is this light shining through.”


    Allison shrugged.


    “Strangely accurate.”


    They sat down in their classroom and their day began in earnest.  Things were uneventful until about two in the afternoon.  Zelda and a few other students were called out of class.  Allison didn’t think much of it and continued with the class.  When she got out, she found Zelda staring at her locker with a blank look on her face.  Allison walked up beside her.


    “Are you okay?”


    Zelda looked at her.  The goth girl’s eyes were red, she’d been crying.  Allison ended up with her arms around the shorter Zelda as her new friend melted into her arms and started crying again.  Allison held the back of Zelda’s head with her palm.  She didn’t say anything.  In truth she had no real idea how to deal with this situation.  It wasn’t like she knew how to handle her own emotions let alone someone else’s.  Zelda spoke.


    “The Commonwealth believes my parent’s ship was destroyed in the dark sector.”


    Allison’s heart fell but she focused on the term Zelda used, believes.


    “Believes, but they don’t know for sure?”


    Zelda pulled away slightly and looked up at Allison.


    “What?”


    Allison looked Zelda in the eyes.


    “They believe, they do not know for sure.  That means there is hope.”


    Zelda sniffled and shook her head.


    “No, they were attacked by the Bhiras.  They’re months away.  If they survived they…”


    Zelda burst into sobs again.


    Allison held her with one arm while tapping through her AR HUD and pulling whatever data she could on the Dark Sector and Bhiras.  It wasn’t much.  Carnivorous, from beyond the galactic rim, the Dark Sector was literally Dark.  Stars were vanishing.  The Commonwealth had been trying to figure it out for decades.  The Radiants had given a dire warning about darkness coming for them all when they had enforced the peace.  No Commonwealth ship had survived an encounter with the Bhiras, who apparently were an ancient species with tech the likes of which they’d never seen before.  The Radiants had said the Bhiras devoured their prey.  Preferring to keep sentients alive to eat them slowly.  She narrowed her eyes.  They sounded an awful lot like the Sal’nash.  The difference was the Bhiras were easy to find.


    “Zelda, I need to check something.”


    Zelda looked at Allison in confusion.


    “What?”


    Allison bit her lower lip.


    “I’ll be back.”


    She released Zelda who let her go still looking surprised.  Allison went into one of the washrooms and after confirming it was empty she opened a comm channel to her flagship.


    “Phoenix.  Is that cloaking device operational yet?”


    R’sslv looked a bit surprised to see Allison on his display.


    “Yes, ma’am.  Since shortly after we arrived.”


    Allison smiled.


    “Good.  I need Silverfang team and a Wraith transport transferred to the Phoenix from Ark Royal.  Recall all staff.  We’re departing as soon as I get to the ship.  Search and rescue mission.  I’ll signal for transport in a few minutes”


    Zelda had come into the washroom just after Allison said good.  She was staring at her new friend.  Allison blushed as she spun around.  Zelda stepped back.


    “Well, this is awkward.”


    Zelda stumbled and almost fell down.  Allison caught her friend as she feinted.  Her medical scanner was showing that Zelda was going into a form of shock.  R’sslv was still on the comm so Allison just said.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    “Two for emergency transport.  I’ll need medical staff in the transmission room.”


    A medical team rushed into the transporter room as Zelda and Allison materialized.  They picked up Zelda and got her onto a hover gurney.  Allison called out as they were rushing away.


    “She’s only half human.  She’s Half-Rolarin… whatever that is, the Commonwealth can probably provide data.”


    She sighed and adjusted her hair, pulling it into a ponytail.  She let her eyes slip back to their normal golden color as she walked towards her bridge.  T’sslk, her weapons officer got up from the captain’s chair and Allison sat down.  She looked at R’sslv.


    “Please get me Commonwealth command.”


    The Sauroid nodded and pressed several keys then navigated the Commonwealth chain of command until he reached the equivalent of an admiral for her.  The admiral in question was the same species as the first Commonwealth captain she’d met.  The woman looked rather surprised to see Allison on her screen.


    “Princess Wanjala, what can I do for you?”


    Allison smiled.


    “I hear you lost a ship.  I’m organizing a rescue.  Could you please provide the last known coordinates?”


    The admiral appeared to be quite dumbfounded by Allison’s request.


    “What?”


    “Ma’am, the ship you lost to the Bhiras, in the Dark Sector.  I’m going after it.  We need coordinates, emergency beacon frequencies, if any of them survived we can save them.  If not we can at least get confirmation.  Also, we have one of your civilians on board.  She was going into shock; I have my medical staff trying to stabilize her.”


    The admiral was still in a state of confusion.


    “There is no way to reach them in time.”


    Allison shook her head.


    “Ma’am, I can reach any point in space near instantaneously.  I am ready to leave as soon as we receive the data.”


    Hope lit up the Admiral’s face but then she shook her head.


    “You’re a VIP, there are protocols.”


    Allison shook her head again.


    “You’re wasting precious time.  I am not a Commonwealth citizen, nor am I part of your military and my rank as Battlelord dictates that I don’t need authorization from anyone to deploy my forces.”


    The admiral relented and data started coming through.  Allison was being pinged by the Ark Royal’s captain at this point.


    “Admiral, I need to coordinate with my fleet.  Thank you for the information.  We’ll do what we can to save who we can.”


    She swapped over to the Ark Royal’s captain.


    “Battlelord, why are we mobilizing?”


    “Sorry for not letting you know sooner Captain, there is an emergency, we’re assisting the Commonwealth on a search and rescue.  I’m only taking the Phoenix.  She’s the only one with a cloaking device that is working.  Just hold position.  We’ll be back ASAP.  Thank you for Silverfang team.”


    Captain Seng frowned slightly.


    “Battlelord, I don’t think this is a good idea.  We have seen the comm traffic.  We should be going in force with the Commonwealth fleet.  With the fold drive you could take a sizable force.”


    Allison shook her head.


    “No, if the Commonwealth ships are no match for these guys, then ours won’t be either.  Our best hope is stealth, if that fails then shock and awe and fold away.  I have those four Cataclysm bombs, we’re still not sure how strong they really are so I’d rather not risk anyone else.  If we get in over our heads, I’ll drop a wormhole beacon.  In the meantime, I want you to work with Commonwealth command and prepare to reinforce us if necessary.  I have a plan.”


    Captain Seng nodded.


    “Well, you’re in charge Battlelord.  I’ll do what I can here.”


    Allison nodded back.


    “See you in a bit, Phoenix out.


    Allison turned to R’sslv.


    “Advise Commonwealth we’re going to be departing space dock.  Have all Commonwealth staff who don’t want to come with us offboarded ASAP.”


    She looked at her helmswoman.


    “Helm, proceed at maximum lawful speed out of space dock once we have clearance then engage the FTL drive for a short jump.  We’ll fold from interstellar space.  Once we complete the fold engage the cloak immediately.”


    She leaned back and watched as her ship blew off its moorings and headed towards the exit.  The massive doors opened.  As soon as they were at a safe distance the blue-white hyperspace vortex formed as they jumped into FTL.  She stood up and walked over to the fold console.  She cracked her neck before reaching her hands down and touching the fold interface.  She closed her eyes and let her mind sync up with the organ that would rip a hole in space time.  She could feel the alien presence in her mind once again.  It was like when she shared memories with Aryna but where that connection felt warm and soft, this one felt cold and slimy.


    The ship dropped out of FTL and Allison forced herself to fully open herself to the fold drive.  She opened her eyes.  Her normal golden eyes were replaced with a rainbow of light.  She saw the point in space she wanted.  A damaged ship.  She latched onto the image and pulled herself towards it.  The ship shimmered out of existence.  It rematerialized a couple of light minutes away from the missing Commonwealth vessel.


    Allison held her head and moved back to the command chair.  The lights dimmed indicating the cloak had become active.  Her Yorleer science officer spoke up.


    “Cloak engaged ma’am, scans indicate no hostiles in the vicinity.”


    Allison rubbed her temples.  Her connection with the fold drive was growing stronger each time she used it, and the subsequent headache was so much more painful.  She spoke through clenched teeth.


    “Engage ECM to cover our scans, but look for life signs, escape pods.”


    Her crew went about their duties while Allison tried to deal with the pain.  Her headache grew worse when Widow came onto the bridge with her cousins and Veronica.  Widow was pissed.


    “What the hell are you doing?”


    Allison frowned at her.


    “I should ask you the same thing.  What the hell are they doing on my ship?  We’re heading into a possible combat situation.  They’re kids.”


    Widow crossed her arms.


    “And what are you?”


    Allison stood up and motioned to her ready room.  She collapsed into her chair and glared at Widow.


    “I am not in the mood for this.  My fleet, my ship, my call.  Now why are they on my ship and not on the Ark Royal?”


    Widow leaned down with her palms supporting her on Allison’s desk.


    “They were uncomfortable with two teenagers that could tear through marines in full Goliath power armor so I have to babysit them and you.  Veronica came along because she’s basically been adopted into their family.  Now where the hell did you take us.”


    Allison rubbed her temples again as a wave nausea passed through her when Widow raised her voice.  She flicked her finger towards the display behind Widow. The data she had on the Dark Sector, the Bhiras and the loss of the Commonwealth Science Cruiser, X’tor.  Widow crossed her arms while she read the screen.


    “This was reckless.  You’re a lot like your biological mothers.  Only they’d usually only risk their own lives.”


    Allison leaned forward and buried her face in her arms to shield her eyes from the light she spoke and it came out muffled.


    “I want to show the Commonwealth we can be useful.  That’s what Aunt Maria wanted.  We have a cloaking device.  It’s been three days; I was sure no one would be around even if they were nearby, we could cloak before they got a fix on us.  The only things I didn’t anticipate were this migraine from the fold drive or you bringing my teenage cousins and the vampire I defanged along for the ride.”


    Allison heard Widow lean on her desk again.


    “Allison, I was supposed to be protecting you.  You didn’t even bother to tell me you were leaving!”


    Allison groaned.


    “Speak quietly.  And I didn’t have time to track you down you were supposed to be working with the twins.  I pulled Thomas Elk and his team over along with a Wraith to make sure I had a wolf-born and special forces team on standby.”


    Widow simply responded with a surprised, ‘Oh’.  Allison could feel the pain starting to subside.  She lifted her head up and opened her eyes tentatively.  She found that the light was no longer like a dagger stabbing her directly in her brain.  She stood up and held her side.  The migraine had distracted her from the injuries inflicted by Plutonia.  Concern was apparent in Widow’s eyes.


    “You’re not healed yet?”


    Allison waved her hand dismissively.


    “I’m healed enough.  You can yell at me later.  For the time being I need you suited up with Thomas.  The Bhiras apparently do take prisoners; They like to eat them?”


    Widow frowned.


    “Disgusting.   The intel we have on them makes them seem dangerous and monstrous.”


    Allison nodded.


    “That is why I brought a wolf-born, now I have two.”


    Widow shook her head.


    “You have four.”


    Allison shook her head.


    “No way.  I’m not taking them into combat, they’re fifteen, and after the med bay last night I don’t’ think we can trust them not to go wild.”


    Widow put her hand on Allison’s shoulder as the teenage battlelord started towards the door to the bridge.


    “They were scared, and alone.  Wolf-born are born to fight, even teenage ones.  You don’t know our ways, so I understand your mistake but once a wolf-born has had their first change they are expected to fight for our people.  It is our law.  I know you; You’re planning on leading whatever charge we make and that is why my people will follow you when you take over for your sister, their place is at your side, you are our alpha.”


    Allison was confused.  She turned to face Widow again.


    “What do you mean, I’m your alpha.”


    Widow looked down into Allison’s golden eyes.


    “You are the daughter of the Mother of Spirits, Gaea, the Lifebringer. What she was now resides in you.  The spirits have declared it, and it is so.  Every single wolf-born who is loyal to life is loyal to you.  You have had a true name since before you were born.  It was no surprise to us that you wiped out the Sal’nash.  What the Silwrath call a battlelord, we call a warrior of legend.   You, like your mother, are a warrior of legend.  I might disagree with your choices; It is the brashness of youth vs the caution of an elder.  A conflict as old as the wolf-born.  But, in battle I will follow you into the abyss and I think you have dragged us to the edge.  The spirits are gone here, there is nothing but void.  Whatever we hunt is an agent of chaos and death.”


    Allison blinked a few times.


    “I don’t understand, its space… of course it’s a void.”


    Widow took Allison’s hand and pulled her towards the reflective viewport out into space.  Allison felt herself shifting somewhere else.  Suddenly they were in an echo of her ship.  She saw spirits clinging to most things.  But outside in the space there was nothing.  Worse than nothing it was like anything spiritual was eradicated, consumed.  Widow phased them back out of the spirit realm.


    “You saw… you are of the spirit realm as much as the physical.  I was angry with you for coming here but you had no choice but to become involved.  Whatever this is, is an anathema to spirits and us.  Whatever it is, is twisted, a servant of the betrayer, the one your mother destroyed.”


    Allison frowned.


    “I’m not here to fight a battle with some ultimate darkness, I’m here to rescue some people.”


    Widow shrugged.


    “Something tells me those two goals are aligned.”


    Allison sighed.


    “Aren’t the Sal’nash enough?”


    “They are a mundane threat; This is something far worse and far more insidious.  Gobbling away where those that hunt it can’t see it.  Arrogant enough to make itself visible.  If you can’t find it with your sensors, I can follow its trail of spiritual obliteration.  It will not evade us for long.”