《The Book of Technomancy》


 Pilot (1)

    The emergency alarms blared in the background while engineers and staffs were running around the containment hallways. Red lights and footsteps echoed in unison. And people frantically searching for the source of breach. The Control Room kept receiving static sounds from the Minos Space Station when they tried contacting them.


    "It''s no use, Admiral! They are not answering!" the officer said.


    "Damn it, how can it be?" The Admiral pursed his lips thinking the worst possible scenarios.


    "Try it again."


    Is someone trying to intercept space communication lines?


    This cargo spaceship was an old model of TB- 09 Legacy and can carry tons of weight. Its structure and controls were not that complicated compared to the latest model. But some specs were different and modified to compensate the Hyperwarping System, including the Secret Containment Room Security. Of course, it was legally issued and licensed from Bureau of Spacecraft. Most of the old model of TB- 09 Legacy can do four times of warping and did not have Secret Containment Room. It can only support intergalactic foods technological parts, small vessels etc. This certain cargo ship was owned by a private intergalactic corporation, delivering an unknown material to Minos Research and Development Facility, even the crew or the admiral did not know its whereabouts or origin. He and his apprentice were hired right after his mission from Tartarus- VII, a cold planet.


    At some point, the admiral felt it was because of this unknown item that they were being targeted. Yet, something was off. Who knew about this delivery? The cargo ship was disguised with a different design so no one can know about it.


    Not to arouse any suspicions, he didn''t include additional space military ships for his aid. Now that seemed to be a mistake to do when they were experiencing emergency.


    The ship cannot hold it anymore, they had located the source and it was in the Engine Room. According to the staff, the people inside were already dead before the explosion happened. They were shot by a laser gun. The edges of the hole made on the bodies were burned. But the fire spread quickly, making the hole bigger as it displayed the innards disgustingly. The impact was severe as if putting a band aid was not enough.


    "Admiral, the ship cannot hold it anymore! We''re going to crash!" the officer reported.


    It was the most crucial time for them and an important decision must be made right away.


    The Admiral''s apprentice stepped up from the shadows, gradually displaying her face. Still young and had a lot to learn in space voyage. She had a small stature, yet was confident on her own. Holding her ideals and morals right, with naivete on the side. The Admiral taught her well to be able to make decisions inside and outside the spaceship.


    "Sir, please order all units to go to the escape pods. We don''t have time to save the ship. No, we''re going to abandon it."


    The Apprentice was right, there was no other way but to abandon it or else they were going to crash to the nearest Kepler planet. Worst scenario, the ship will explode.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The old TB- 09 Legacy kept shaking, while everyone held on to something and went to the escape pods.


    The Admiral turned on his mic.


    "All units and crews, get to the escape pods right away. Leave all the unnecessary things and save yourselves." He announced.


    The Admiral signaled his men in the Control Room to change into automatic piloting as they left.


    Only the he and his apprentice were left inside.


    She was curious what her master was thinking.


    "There is somewhere we need to do. Let''s leave at once."


    The Admiral checked his gun and strapped his handgun holster on his waist. Before leaving, he fixed his peaked cap and turned off some buttons and controllers on the Operator side. The Apprentice followed him as the automatic door opened. They walked through the containment hallways, going to the opposite side of where the Escape Pods were.


    Only the annoying emergency red lights and alarms as well as their footsteps echoed in the hallway. No one talked and silently strides toward what the Admiral was going.


    As they approached the intersection, the Admiral said, "If something happens to me, make sure to keep that item safe."


    "Also don''t trust anyone."


    He thought something was odd and he didn''t understand why or how. He just felt off. It''s bad and the Admiral was sure, this was different from all of his previous missions.


    The Apprentice did not understand what he meant, but for assurance, she gripped her pulse pistol strapped under a leather jacket.


    They climbed the emergency stairs and went undetected deeper underground to find the Secret Containment Room. Only those who hold a biometric card can unlock the automatic heavy metal vault door once it was accepted by the scanner.


    Sweat slid on his cheek as the Admiral used the card onto the scanner.


    Ka-chuk.


    Combinations of locks were beginning to disconnect from its source and the handle automatically rotated counterclockwise. A wind just passed through the crevice of a heavy door.


    Just as they entered the room, another explosion happened. Shaking the whole spaceship and losing its control. Alarms didn''t stop, but it only kept them aware of the danger. When the fluorescent lights flickered several times, the Admiral and his apprentice were quick to act. They went inside to secure the classified item. But as they retrieved it, the UV lights inside turned off.


    "Oh, no, no, no, no. No!" He took out his handgun from his holster, closely holding it to his chest. Even his apprentice. They turned on their pistol lights to see in the dark.


    "Take the item and never lose it. Be ready, you''ll never know who will appear."


    The Apprentice took what seems to be a book bag, slinging it to her shoulder.


    Her heart pounded loudly in her ears, nervous but hid it well from her master.


    "Stay close to me."


    They moved out from the room. Only to see in front of them, their Department Unit Heads including themselves. No, these people were different. Just the way they looked at them felt menacing and dangerous.


    "I have a bad feeling about this." His apprentice said.


    Their faces blurred and gradually changed into original. They have long ears, and big deep blue eyes, with a neutral green rough skin, and tattooed symbols on their arms. It was not just symbols, but a language unknown to all.


    "Give that back to us!" said by the one who disguised as the Admiral with a rough deep voice while pointing their laser gun at both of them.


    "Krekins." Her master whispered.


    Krekins was one of the alien races who didn''t bother becoming friendly with other intergalactic races. They lived in silence and away from the intergalactic problems. They were rarely seen and if they will appear, it was only during Intergalactic Ball Party. They wanted peace. Krekins didn''t let anyone enter their domain especially humans. Krekins value technology very much and they were the primary source of all the advanced technology in the entire universe.


    But how come they were here?


    "You have what we want. If you don''t want to be killed, give that back to us."

 Pilot (2)

    "Tsk." The Admiral looked closely to the situation. It''s eight against two, but he wondered what were the Krekins'' abilities were.


    Obviously, they lost by numbers, however, what if they fight strategically? He regretted that he didn''t remember what The Complete Space Species Book for Dummies all about.


    He laughed. It was his mistake as an adult and admiral in forgetting the basics, underestimating himself.


    He sighed and whispered, "Get out of here as fast as you can. Never look back, just get on your fighter jet. This ship is going to explode."


    "No." She replied.


    Cheeky brat!


    He looked at his apprentice, shocked. She was smiling?


    "You truly underestimate your apprentice, master. I don''t think you understand that we have the upper hand here."


    "What?"


    "They are physically weak."


    "Sure, they can fight strategically and use what the resources they can have, but right now, we are in advantage."


    "That''s still risky." The admiral doubted her.


    "Yeah, but I''m not running away. Not when you imply before as if you''re going to die."


    He swallowed his saliva. It was true, though. He felt like today was not his lucky day.


    Facing the Krekins, she gripped the bookbag tightly.


    Hold on to it, she thought.


    "No, we won''t hand it over."


    "In that case..." The Krekins readied their weapons.


    They started firing. Quickly the admiral and his apprentice pressed a button from their Hi-Wave Processor Encoder (H-Wav ProD), activating the deflector shield.


    A hologram-like appeared from their gauntlets to protect themselves.


    "That''s enough! You shouldn''t be getting involve in our problem! Return that to us and we promised to let you go." The Krekins leader said persuasively.


    "We have a mission to deliver it safely. It''s not yours to take!" The Admiral countered.


    Too bad, the shield won''t last long. Their laser guns are better than the mass produced ones. It seemed to be that the shield will wear out for few minutes as the impact of the laser shots could penetrate or malfunction it.


    Both of them stood on their own ground, not giving up.


    "Bah! You believe that? We knew you were to deliver it to the Minos R&D Facility, but what you''re doing is wrong. They are tricking you into thinking that that thing you got right there, kid, is nothing but an ancient artifact! However, it''s important to the species of Krekins. That thing actually belonged to us. Neon Tech Corporations stole it! You''re putting the lives of everyone at risk!"Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    As the Krekins leader roared his anger, they were pushed back as the impact of laser shots became heavy.


    "Tsk, we''re not getting anywhere with this." The Apprentice broke the defense.


    "H-hey!" The Admiral facepalmed as his apprentice acted on her own again.


    She dashed swiftly toward the Krekins, avoiding the shots with ease. Getting closer to them, she jumped and kicked one of them in the torso, stumbled and hit their head on the wall, now unconscious. Seven more.


    She was now surrounded by Krekins. One went to shoot her limbs, unfortunately, the apprentice shoved his arm away. Before he was able to counter, she immediately kicked the side of his kneecap as hard as she can, and elbowed his face. Six left.


    "Look out!" Her master shouted.


    Another two behind her just tried to hold her, kneeling down.


    "Kuh, darn it!"


    "How persistent you are." The leader steps forward, ready to take back what''s theirs.


    No, it''s not over. Not yet.


    The Admiral who was watching the fight earlier, raised his arm with H-Wav ProD, ready to aim the back of the two Krekins. His right hand was now in the position to press the button. The spotting stats flickered through his eyepiece, measuring the distance and speed, and aim assist to complete.


    3, 2, 1...


    "Target Locked."


    Then he pressed. The H-Wav ProD just released two wires with small bots attached at the end, sticking to their backs.


    "What the?!"


    The two Krekins screamed as electric shock was produced. It was enough to cause burns on their skin. Four left.


    The Admiral had raised the volts a bit than usual as every species was different from each other, reacting to different circumstances.


    It was a fluke that he was able to take them down. He just took the risk to save his apprentice.


    Krekins had characteristics to resist cold weather only. Their bodies evolved overtime and able to adapt due to the cold environment they were in. Although, they were resistant to the cold, the bodies couldn''t withstand the heat or burns. Their bodies functioned differently from humans. They secreted substances and spend energy for them to resist cold. It didn''t actually make them warm, but it was enough for their skin to be thicker.


    The leader had no choice but to step back a bit. He already made this far, yet it will all become futile as his comrades were dead or unconscious. He was almost there to retrieve the one that Krekins cherished the most more than their lives.


    "You! You just ruined our lives! Now, it''s too late."


    Before he continued, the Admiral stop him from talking.


    "Wait, you keep on mentioning that this thing belonged to you, Krekins. Tell me, what is it all about? We can talk this out. Please calm down."


    "No, you won''t understand." The leader bit his lower lip in anger and helplessness and he sighed.


    "My comrades, you''ve done enough to serve me well."


    He took out a small remote with a red button.


    If he couldn''t take the item then he''ll just blow this ship and destroyed everything with him.


    Before the leader pressed, the Admiral knew what it was for.


    "FUCK!"


    He quickly grabbed his apprentice, protecting her through the use of his body when suddenly something exploded inside as that Krekins bombed the place.


    With the small stature of the apprentice, she was protected well.


    They were both down and couldn''t move as they were trapped when the ceiling fell including the thick broken wires flickering everywhere.


    She felt the heaviness of the body on top of her. The blood coming from her master''s body streamed onto her and the floor. He was severely hurt especially his lower half.


    He was beyond saving.


    "Mas...ter?"


    He didn''t answer.


    "Please wake up. Sir. Please!"


    She gave him a gentle tap on admiral''s shoulder. He didn''t respond.


    "No, no, no!"


    She tried again. And again. No response.


    "Because of this stupid bookbag!"


    She was ready to throw it away, but she didn''t.


    The Apprentice hesitated and wiped her tears. She looked around if there were remaining survivors but none. They also died from the impact of explosion and got flattened by the debris.


    "I have to get away from here. We''ve lost a lot of time."