Allison was dressed in her school uniform standing in front of her display. Classes had been cancelled for the day, as they always were for the science fair. It was still mandatory to attend and present. This year’s projects spanned the gamut from low effort: ‘look at these rocks I collected’ to full on professional-like presentations. Allison’s was one of the more comprehensive but there were others, like Diya’s who had abused her father’s corporation’s resources to design a prototype bug repeller that would keep the bacteria carrying insects away at night on Eden Prime. That was a hard one to beat. Allison abused all kinds of military access to get hers so she really couldn’t be mad at Diya. Though she could argue Diya’s was an engineering project instead of a science project, where hers was an authentic science project.
The group of judges, among which were her mother’s deputy governor, and perhaps for the worse, Major Ghai, approached her table. She smiled at them. The lead judge which was the headmistress looked over the display.
“Excellent presentation on the display Allison. Please tell us about your project.”
Allison continued smiling and motioned to the interviews that she started play back on again.
“My presentation is on xenobiology. Why it is important, how it can help the System’s Alliance, and how does one become a xenobiologist. I have these two interviews with life-long xenobiologists from the League of Sentient Races, each has been practicing xenobiology since before it was an accepted science in the System’s Alliance. As part of my project I performed xenobiological research on a xeno-species they have several names in other languages, but I’ve called them space manatees because they remind me of manatees, I did this as an example of what a xenobiologist might research.”
The judges watched her interviews quietly while taking notes. Allison then turned to her main holo-display where she had the migration pattern that the tags had confirmed and had extrapolated it to systems it could be. She had four different routes around the Andromeda galaxy. She explained her reasoning and her sources. Then she showed them the video of her trip with the pod both through normal space and through FTL. She thought they looked rather impressed.
“I was trying to get close to them to observe them, space is big and I got caught up in their wake. As a pod they fly in formation. They seemed to accept my starfighter of the member of the pod who was having difficulty moving so they changed formation to pull me along. I would have preferred to observe them at a distance but in space you never know right?”
Major Ghai looked over the display.
“Do you think it is fair to the other entrants that you had access to two militaries worth of resources, a fleet, and a personal starfighter?”
Allison raised an eyebrow.
“If I used those resources, yes, but all of my data for the project, except the holo of my encounter with the pod were gathered using only resources other students had access to. The data I used is historical scientific data from the League that is available to anyone who makes an official request. The new data I spoke to scientists with standard hyperwave communication devices neither knew who I was when we first spoke.”
Major Ghai had the look of a lawyer that had just caught the witness he was cross-examining in a lie.
“Ah but hyperwave comm devices are only available to government officials and System’s Alliance Military.”
Allison frowned.
“I am sorry Major, you are mistaken. Anyone can request access to the hyperwave comm station at the LSR embassy. There is a form and it is usually authorized and scheduled within twenty-four standard hours.”
He didn’t seem to want to give up. As usual he had a bone to pick with her. Like he enjoyed getting one up on her.
“And the ten high speed probes you sent out at the beginning of the week had nothing to do with this project?”
Allison narrowed her eyes.
“That deployment was classified and while some of the systems in that classified mission were part of the migration pattern of the space manatees my science project was not the objective of that classified mission.”
Major Ghai looked embarrassed now he looked at his fellow judges.
“Please disregard that information.”
Allison smiled.
“Sorry, I admit there has been a bit of overlap with current highly classified anti-Sal’nash operations, but I was careful to keep my science project in its own lane. Except for the holo of my time with the pod which I just had to share because it was such a wonderous experience, all data used in my paper and presentation can be acquired through legitimate civilian channels. I just want to say that in conclusion, while my project is not as flashy as some others, I firmly believe I have covered each one of the objectives of this year’s contest. I encourage you to look at this as my way of trying to inspire my fellow students to consider the discipline of xenobiology for their course of study in post-secondary school, it will be vital to the System’s Alliance going forward if we wish to reduce overpopulation in the sol system.”
The judges wrote down their final note and moved off. Allison glared darkly at Major Ghai’s retreating form. Aryna spoke up behind her.
“You know, your mother says if keep doing that your face will stay that way.”
Allison turned to Aryna.
“How did yours go?”
Aryna shrugged.
“Well, enough, they were more impressed with yours. It’s already on the short list to win.”
Allison poked Aryna’s shoulder.
“You shouldn’t be reading people’s minds.”
Aryna laughed, her musical laugh.
“I could just tell by their body language silly sister.”
Aryna’s eyes drifted to Diya who was now presenting her face darkened.
“I am feeling… envy. It is a strange feeling, why would I be jealous of her?”
Allison shrugged.
“She’s conventionally attractive, has a boyfriend who isn’t a jerk, rich and she used her daddy’s money and corporation to basically cheat.”
Aryna looked at Allison with a smile.
“Then should I not be jealous of you, my rich sister?”
Allison shrugged.
“I’ve looked in the mirror, you have no reason to be jealous of me. Rich only takes you so far when you can’t be sculpted like Diya. You know those mods are illegal for anyone under twenty-one. No way that.”
She waved her hand towards Diya.
“Is not bought and paid for I guess it shouldn’t surprise me she got away with it considering what I can get away with."
Aryna looked at the holo of Allison flying with the pod of space manatees. She pointed at a reflection on the clear canopy.
“I do not remember ever seeing you that happy before.”
“It was a beautiful experience. They just accepted me and Bit. Like we were one of them. When I was hit by that pollen I could feel them there around me, I was actually part of their little group. There was no fear in them, just acceptance. I know they’re not that smart, but it was like they knew I was in distress, and they pulled me into orbit with them.”
Aryna looked at the judges.
“Did you tell them that?”
Allison shook her head.
“No of course not, the pollen and what it does are classified. I only discussed it with you because you know what it is already, and I thought you might know something we didn’t yet. I had to cut most of the video.”
Allison sighed.
“Look I have a question for you, was Qual’sa ever a binary star system?”
Aryna closed her eyes. She was going back through her Queen Aryna’s memories. Her eyes opened suddenly.
“Yes. That is how mother caused the supernova. How did you know? It was a black star.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Allison nodded.
“I think there are a lot of those in this galaxy. I found one and I’m sure there was a second, I just couldn’t follow the pod I was having issues with Bit’s systems. They shouldn’t exist yet; The universe isn’t old enough… unless they are older than the universe.”
Aryna quirked her head to the side as Allison pointed to her map.
“What isn’t in my science report is that the space manatees were diving into the black dwarves then building up to FTL before heading to a world with Fyr’t’fir adjacent pollen and moving onwards. Those black stars as you call them are part of their life cycle. I found countless space manatee corpses by the black stars and even weirder there were real Fyr’t’fir flowers growing on them. I think your world was another one of their graveyards. That is why the flowers only grow in that valley. And my ship’s fold drive uses those flowers and that pollen to let me interact with it. Aryna, I think Aryni created the Sal’nash and gave them modified Qual’sa ships. I think we can use the data I gathered to track them. That’s the classified part. If the Qual’sa organic ship FTL was based on the fold technology and the space manatee DNA… If they need the degenerate matter from black dwarfs and Fyr’t’fir pollen we might just be able to intercept them.”
Aryna looked at the judges who were now discussing the various projects amongst themselves.
“So, Diya could win because hers is more practical because you can’t tell them what you know because it is classified. I am sorry, my sister.”
Allison shrugged.
“I did this as a cover for my research anyway. I’d rather save the galaxy then win a science fair project.”
Aryna hugged Allison.
“I am sorry my people have caused such death.”
Allison shook her head.
“Aryni caused it, spiteful b- her hatred lives on past death. I think they might be going after me because she implanted an impulse to hunt me and my fighter.”
Aryna drifted off when some parents came by to speak with Allison about her project. She did the spiel once they were satisfied she remembered she said she’d send her project off to her benefactors from the LSR. So, she linked up with the Phoenix and asked her duty comm officer to send the packages to the two scientists. She answered questions for people as they came by. She had little interest in other projects and Tyler hadn’t shown up today. About an hour later shortly before the judges were going to start announcing who won overall and who won per grade she received a comm signal from the Phoenix. She muttered.
“Wow they’re going to start the criticism already?”
She sighed and moved away from the crowd gathered at the stage and responded, fully expecting it to be a hyperwave comm from one of the scientists, most likely the Grylta. It was not it was a link from LSR fleet command. A rather young looking green scaled Silwrath did a nervous salute.
“Battlelord we have detected a Sal’nash ship in the Gh’tal system.”
Allison got serious.
“Understood. We will be underway ASAP, have you contacted the closest emergency response fleet?”
“Yes, Battlelord, they have engaged the hive but they are just a few patrol vessels.”
Allison nodded.
“Understood. Notify the System’s Alliance and Councils.”
She ended the communication and tapped the emergency transport request button she’d added to her AR HUD. She was standing in her transporter room looking at Callum who looked quite fetching in his new Sal’nash Defense Force uniform, if you liked older men.
“Lassie, can I expect to be transporting a few more folks?”
Allison nodded.
“Yes, I’ll be issuing an emergency recall. If they’re not on their ships in ten minutes, we’re not waiting for them.”
Allison ran towards C&C. Nutina was already there and starting to issue recall orders.
“Battlelord, we’re already transporting people to the ships. What are your orders?”
Allison looked up at her fleet as it was arrayed on the holo-display.
“We’re using the fold drive. We can’t waste time with a wormhole jump and FTL jump. All System’s Alliance ships are to hang back and join us after we drop a beacon. I’m heading to the bridge. Please direct the fleet from here. You know your ships capabilities better than I do.”
Allison rushed to the bridge. Wesva stood up from the captain’s chair and moved to her science station. Allison sat down and started coordinating fleet response. She asked R’sslv to get the Ark Royal on comms. Captain Seng appeared with Commander Holiday.
“Hello, Captain Seng, I want you to take command of the System’s Alliance ships. I’m not sure if we’re going to run into a queen or not so I’d rather have us arrive first and make sure it’s clear before putting your ships at risk. Commander Holiday, give me the eleven best candidates in their best match starfighter, you’ll be leading the squadron. Transfer to the Wendigo.”
Commander Holiday saluted.
“Aye ma’am.”
Captain Seng nodded.
“Understood. We’ll wait for the beacon. Good luck Shadow.”
Allison brought up the target system on her AR HUD’s star map and zoomed into the class H planet that was home to six billion people. She committed the image to memory before swiping it away. She paced while she waited for confirmation that the majority of her ship’s crews were on board and that the fighter transfer was complete. She looked at R’sslv.
“Warn Eden Prime we’re folding. All non-combatants need to be out of the fold zone. Give the fleet a ten count.”
She shuddered involuntarily when her hands pressed against the organic interface for the fold drive. She tried a different tactic this time, in other words she did what had never came naturally before, even when training with Queen Aryna, she let go like she had with the pod of space manatees. The link to the fold drive was even more intense this time but it didn’t hurt like it had each time previously. She could feel the flowers and pollen there asking her… where do we go? She reached out through space with her mind which was expanded from exposure to the pollen the console was exposing her too. Her eyes went black. She saw the planet. She saw the Sal’nash ship that had gotten away at the rogue planet. Limping and damaged moving to escape the gravity well… The patrol vessels that had tried to stop it were debris fields. She saw something terrifying, two super hives ripping free of an ocean. Allison willed her fleet there. The fold drive answered her call and the fleet shimmered pink before vanishing.
She stumbled back from the console and shook her head, which was now throbbing. She collapsed in the captain’s chair. Her fleet was awaiting her orders and recovering from the space fold. She watched the damaged Hive on their targeting display, but she ignored it. The two super hives were a much, much larger threat and far closer.
“Ignore the hive, focus on the super-hives. launch all first wave fighters, prepare for boarding parties and begin anti-queen signal shield modulation. Any Sal’nash landing pods have the highest target priority. If the choice is protecting the civilians or destroying the Sal’nash your orders are to protect the civilians. I will mark targets.”
She brought up her link to the C&C systems and marked the life support, weapons systems plasma storage and finally the drive section of the super-hives then assigned each ship priority targets.
“Fire on my order.”
She looked at her weapon’s officer.
“You, target the large hanger all weapons. Prepare our defensive cannons for incoming boarding pods and plasma blasts.”
She leaned forward and once she was sure they could avoid damage to the planetary surface she sent a fleet wide comm.
“Fire!”
The super-hives were rocked as the fleet hammered them. They started to return fire. Allison sent another fleet wide.
“Break formation, evasive maneuvers, fire at will. Those hives do not leave this system.”
Allison leaned back in her seat. If the queens were singing their song of death, no one in her fleet was impacted by it. Her ship was rocked by repeated heavy plasma blasts. Wesav spoke.
“Battlelord, they are focus targeting us. Shields are holding for now.”
Allison raised an eyebrow.
“Let’s not make ourselves an easy target then. Helm evasive maneuvers but pull us away from the fleet maybe we can lure them into a compromising position. Make it look like we want to get away from the gravity well to use our FTL drive.”
She sent another fleetwide.
“They’re focusing on us we’re going to lure them into a kill zone. Hold your fire, overload your energy weapons and when you have a targeting solution pound those weak points I pointed out.”
The Phoenix rocked again as a plasma blast glanced off of her port side.
“We have lost shields, Battlelord.”
Allison cursed under her breath she sent a ship wide.
“All hands brace for impact, get to damage stations.”
Another plasma blast hit them causing the power to flicker. Then the rain of plasma blasts subsided as her fleet tore into the two super-hives. The Sal’nash controlling them obviously had some sense of self preservation because they broke off their pursuit of the Phoenix to respond to the threat. Allison looked at her helmswoman.
“Bring us about three-sixty, I want all power to the main gun you hit that with everything it has.”
She pointed at the target on her viewscreen. The Phoenix had not had a chance to land a solid hit with her main gun, but it was a devastatingly effective weapon if it had a chance to charge and they ignored insignificant things like powering shields, sub light engines and life support. Allison wished she had her System’s Alliance Cruisers because they had particle beams that would be able to punch a hole straight through the super-hives with no real drawbacks besides the time it took to charge them to fire. The lights on the Phoenix dimmed as the main gun’s capacitor was brought to full, then overcharged. Allison pointed.
“Fire!”
The coherent red beam with the coil of blue around it fired from the core of the Phoenix. It was enough energy to reverse all their forward momentum and send the Phoenix moving backwards. The hit was good. The hive’s super-tough chitin like hull shattered where the beam had hit. The damage wasn’t limited to the primary target. It had dealt a glancing blow to the super-hive behind it taking the top off of the aft drive and main life support section causing globs of green and black fluid to float into space. The beam had continued on until it struck an uninhabited moon sixty thousand kilometers away. The Phoenix was dead in space for several seconds then one by one systems started to come back. Wesva listed each system as it was restored. R’sslv spoke.
“Engineering has restored shields. They were able to repair the main capacitor bank while we had power directed to the main gun.”
Allison looked at her helmswoman, her orders were interrupted by R’sslv.
“Battlelord multiple distress signals from the surface. A hive tried to launch but lost power and crashed near a population center. They have Sal’nash ground forces incoming. The local security forces are asking for assistance.”
Allison knew what the local security forces consisted of in the LSR, they were glorified security guards.
“Is it on this hemisphere?”
R’sslv spoke.
“Aye.”
Allison sighed.
“Launch our fighters send them to the other side of the planet tell them to drop the beacon.”
She hit her internal comms to C&C.
“Nutina, prepare for ground assault. I am calling in the reinforcements. Silverfang is ready get them to the surface, we can use Master Sergeant Lance its night. Once we can disengage, we’ll be landing the Phoenix and deploying the Synthlin tanks. Are your troops ready?”
Nutina hit her chest in a salute.
“We’re ready, Battlelord. The bulk of our ground forces are on the System’s Alliance ships we will be alone until they arrive.”
Allison nodded.
“I know.”
Nutina grinned.
“It will be glorious, Battlelord! I look forward to fighting by your side.”
Allison looked down at her school uniform. She muttered.
“Don’t even have my kit here.”
She looked at her bridge crew.
“Helm, disengage. We’ll have to let the Fleet deal with the last hive. R’sslv get me the Wendigo.”
The Green Eminence that was in command of the Wendigo appeared on Allison’s viewscreen. He hit his chest with his fist.
“Battlelord!”
Allison acknowledged his salute.
“Eminence, I need you to take command of the fleet. We are heading to the surface to deal with a ground invasion.”
He hit his chest again in a Silwrath salute.
“I will not disappoint you Battlelord. May your battle be glorious!”
Allison nodded. She looked at Wesva.
“Engage the cloak.”
The Phoenix shimmered out of existence. Allison stood up.
“Science Commander, you have the bridge, I’ll be joining the ground forces.”
Allison rushed down where her ground forces were gathering.