《Our sins ghosts》


 Relic

    The galaxy stretched endlessly as a vast and uncharted expanse. At its edge, Ostix sat in his cramped vessel, scanning star systems under the High Council¡¯s orders. The task was as dull as thankless¡ªa quiet exile for reasons he preferred not to dwell on.


    ¡°Helix,¡± Ostix called out. The ship¡¯s AI chirped to life, its tone as sharp as its programming.


    ¡°Yes, Ostix?¡± it replied.


    ¡°Any anomalies in this system?¡± he asked, leaning back in his seat. The faint hum of the ship¡¯s systems was the only backdrop to his restless thoughts.


    Helix paused, processing the latest data from their probes. Ostix tapped his fingers against the console, impatient for an answer. This mission¡ªthis exile¡ªfelt like a punishment he wasn¡¯t sure he deserved.


    ¡°Helix?¡± he prodded again.


    But before Helix could respond, the ship''s alarms blared to life. Ostix straightened instantly, his pulse quickening.


    ¡°Warning,¡± Helix intoned, its tone unusually serious. ¡°Hokris bioship detected.¡±


    Ostix¡¯s heart sank. Hokris bioships were a nightmare to encounter under any circumstances, but here¡ªalone, in the middle of nowhere¡ªthey were a death sentence.


    ¡°Helix,¡± he said, forcing his voice to stay calm, ¡°there¡¯s no life in this system. Why would they be here?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the question of the hour,¡± Helix replied. ¡°They¡¯ve stopped near the outer orbit of a dead planet. Odd behavior for a species that typically hunt for organic sustenance.¡±


    Ostix¡¯s fingers danced across the controls, dimming his ship¡¯s energy signature. His vessel was small and unarmed, built for reconnaissance, not combat. If the Hokris detected him, he¡¯d be an easy target.


    ¡°Helix, where¡¯s the nearest ring system?¡± he asked, anticipating the worst.


    ¡°Five days of FTL travel,¡± Helix answered crisply. ¡°And for the record, I don¡¯t recommend waiting around for them to notice us.¡±


    Ostix clenched his jaw. The Hokris were unlikely to stay in FTL for more than four days before needing to regenerate from subspace radiation. If he jumped now, he might outrun them¡ªassuming they weren¡¯t already tracking his movements.


    ¡°Helix,¡± he said, his voice tense, ¡°any signs they¡¯re following something?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a faint subspace anomaly nearby, likely residual from a probe¡¯s signal. It could be nothing¡ªor it could be what they¡¯re after.¡±


    Ostix exhaled slowly, his thoughts racing. He had deployed several probes in this sector, all designed to gather harmless survey data. However, the implications would be troubling if one had drawn the Hokris attention.


    ¡°Plot a jump to the nearest probe,¡± he ordered.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Helix asked, incredulous. ¡°We could be halfway to safety, and you want to head toward the danger?¡±


    ¡°Just do it,¡± Ostix snapped. ¡°If they¡¯re after one of our probes, I must know why.¡±


    The ship¡¯s engines hummed as Helix reluctantly complied, setting a course. The FTL drive roared to life, and in moments, the stars outside stretched into streaks of light. Ostix gripped the console, bracing himself for whatever lay ahead.


    When they emerged from FTL, the scene was eerily quiet. The probe floated amid the debris of an ancient asteroid field, its signal faint but steady. Ostix¡¯s sensors swept the area, revealing no immediate threats.


    ¡°Helix, access the probe¡¯s logs,¡± Ostix commanded.


    ¡°Working on it,¡± Helix replied. ¡°Let¡¯s hope this isn¡¯t another of your brilliant near-death ideas.¡±


    Ostix ignored the jab, focusing on the external monitors. The asteroid field was dense, with jagged rocks tumbling in slow motion. It was a perfect hiding spot for the probe and anything that might be hunting it.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Helix announced. ¡°The probe detected anomalous energy readings¡ªorganic signatures, to be precise¡ªon the surface of a derelict vessel. The design matches ancient Irepian architecture.¡±


    Ostix felt a chill run down his spine. An ancient Irepian ship? If the Hokris were here because of that, the High Council¡¯s efforts to erase certain parts of their history had failed.


    ¡°Helix,¡± Ostix said quietly, ¡°prepare to retrieve the probe¡¯s core. I need every bit of data it has.¡±


    ¡°Already on it,¡± Helix replied, deploying a mechanical arm to recover the core. The probe was old and worn, but its systems were still functional. As Helix extracted the core, Ostix¡¯s sensors pinged with a new alert.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Hostile presence detected,¡± Helix said grimly. ¡°Hokris bioship entering the system.¡±


    Ostix swore under his breath. The bioship¡¯s ominous silhouette loomed on his monitors, its bioluminescent surface pulsing with predatory intent. They had followed the probe¡¯s signal¡ªand now, they were closing in.


    ¡°Helix, give me options,¡± Ostix demanded.


    ¡°Run or die,¡± Helix replied bluntly. ¡°The probe¡¯s data core is broadcasting a subspace pulse. That¡¯s what the Hokris are tracking. If you want to survive, you need to lose the signal.¡±


    ¡°Then reroute it,¡± Ostix said, his voice sharp. ¡°Send the signal to a decoy and launch it away from the asteroid field.¡±


    ¡°Finally, a plan that doesn¡¯t end with us as Hokris snacks,¡± Helix quipped, already executing the command. A dormant drone in the cargo bay roared to life, its engines igniting as it shot into the void. The signal transferred seamlessly, and the Hokris bioship pursued the new target.


    ¡°Decoy deployed,¡± Helix confirmed. ¡°That should keep them busy¡ªfor now.¡±


    Ostix exhaled, relief washing over him. But a sense of unease lingered as he looked back at the derelict ship on his monitor. The ancient vessel was a relic of a forgotten age, its secrets buried under centuries of decay. Whatever lay inside might be the key to understanding the Hokris¡¯ sudden interest¡ªand the High Council¡¯s long-buried sins.


    ¡°Helix,¡± Ostix said, his voice steady, ¡°prepare for a docking maneuver. We¡¯re going aboard.¡±


    Ostix¡¯s ship aligned with the derelict vessel, its docking arm extending toward an ancient airlock. The relic''s surface was worn and scarred, its once-sleek hull now a testament to centuries of drifting in the void. Lights flickered sporadically, casting long, eerie shadows across the jagged metal.


    ¡°Docking procedure initiated,¡± Helix announced. ¡°Seal integrity is... well, let¡¯s call it questionable. Keep your suit¡¯s life support active.¡±


    Ostix grunted in acknowledgment, his mind already racing ahead. He donned his helmet and activated his environmental suit, the soft hiss of the seals locking into place echoing in his ears.


    ¡°Helix, keep the engines hot,¡± Ostix said as he stepped into the airlock. ¡°If the Hokris change course, I want to be able to leave instantly.¡±


    ¡°Already done,¡± Helix replied. ¡°I¡¯ve also set up proximity alerts. But if you¡¯re hoping for reassurance, you¡¯re not getting it from me.¡±


    The airlock door creaked open, revealing a dark, narrow corridor beyond. Ostix¡¯s helmet lights cut through the gloom, illuminating walls etched with alien symbols and fractured panels. The air was heavy, laced with the acrid tang of decay, despite the faint hum of lingering energy.


    ¡°This place feels alive,¡± Ostix muttered, his voice low.


    ¡°It¡¯s more alive than it has any right to be,¡± Helix replied. ¡°Scans show faint power surges throughout the structure. Most systems are offline, but something keeps the lights on¡ªand the air breathable.¡±


    Ostix advanced cautiously, his boots echoing on the metal floor. The corridor opened into a vast chamber lined with stasis pods. Most were shattered or inactive, their contents long gone. But one pod, nestled in the room¡¯s center, pulsed faintly with light.


    ¡°Helix, what am I looking at?¡± Ostix asked, approaching the pod.


    ¡°Scanning... The pod is of Irepian origin, but the occupant is not,¡± Helix said. ¡°Life signs are faint but stable. This being has been in stasis for a very long time.¡±


    Ostix studied the figure inside. It was humanoid, with sharp and elongated features. Its skin shimmered faintly with an iridescent hue, giving it an otherworldly presence. He recognized the species immediately.


    ¡°A Drixpal,¡± he whispered. ¡°This changes everything.¡±


    The Drixpal were the stuff of legend¡ªan ancient race rumored to have once rivaled the Irepians in power and knowledge. It could explain the Hokris¡¯ presence if one had been preserved here. The bioships weren¡¯t just predators; they were opportunists drawn to anything with the potential to shift the balance of power in the galaxy.


    ¡°Helix, what¡¯s the pod¡¯s status?¡± Ostix asked.


    ¡°Barely functional,¡± Helix replied. ¡°If we don¡¯t transfer them to our ship¡¯s med bay soon, they won¡¯t survive.¡±


    Ostix clenched his jaw. Bringing the Drixpal aboard was a risk¡ªone the High Council would likely condemn him for. But leaving it to die or letting it fall into the Hokris hands wasn¡¯t an option.


    ¡°Prepare the med bay for stasis transfer,¡± Ostix said. ¡°We¡¯re bringing them aboard.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Helix asked, its tone somber. ¡°We¡¯re already on borrowed time, and the Hokris might not stay distracted for long.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± Ostix replied. ¡°If the Drixpal has answers, we need them.¡±


    The pod hissed as Ostix activated its release mechanism. Frost evaporated from its surface, and the faint glow of its occupant brightened momentarily. Ostix maneuvered the pod carefully, securing it to the ship¡¯s mechanical transport arm.


    ¡°Helix, status on the Hokris?¡± Ostix asked as he returned to the docking port.


    ¡°They¡¯ve figured out the decoy,¡± Helix replied grimly. ¡°Their bioship is en route. Estimated arrival: ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Perfect timing,¡± Ostix muttered. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    The docking arm retracted, and the ship disengaged from the derelict. The engines roared to life, propelling them away from the asteroid field. But as they sped into the void, the proximity alarm blared.


    ¡°Multiple contacts,¡± Helix announced. ¡°Hokris drones¡ªfast movers. They¡¯ve picked up our trail.¡±


    Ostix gritted his teeth, gripping the controls. ¡°Helix, calculate the fastest FTL jump point. We need to lose them.¡±


    ¡°Already plotting,¡± Helix said. ¡°But we¡¯ll have to hold them off for at least two minutes.¡±


    Two minutes felt like an eternity as the Hokris drones closed in, their sleek, organic forms weaving through space with predatory grace. Ostix fired up the ship¡¯s meager defenses, launching bursts of energy to ward them off. The drones dodged with ease, their agility far surpassing his own.


    ¡°Shields at sixty percent,¡± Helix reported. ¡°I hope you¡¯ve got a plan because I¡¯m fresh out of clever quips.¡±


    Ostix¡¯s eyes darted across the console. The FTL drive was still charging, the countdown ticking down agonizingly slowly.


    ¡°Just keep the ship together,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±


    The first drone fired, its plasma weaponry searing through the void. Ostix banked hard, narrowly avoiding the blast. His ship shuddered under the strain, alarms blaring as systems strained to compensate.


    ¡°FTL ready in thirty seconds,¡± Helix said. ¡°But I can¡¯t promise we¡¯ll survive that long.¡±


    Ostix launched another volley, aiming for a cluster of debris nearby. The explosion scattered the drones momentarily, buying him precious seconds.


    ¡°FTL drives online,¡± Helix announced. ¡°Initiating jump.¡±


    The ship surged forward, stars stretching into streaks of light as space folded around them. Ostix exhaled, his grip on the controls finally relaxing.


    ¡°Helix, status on the Drixpal?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Stable¡ªfor now,¡± Helix replied. ¡°But you¡¯d better hope this gamble pays off.¡±


    Ostix leaned back in his seat, the adrenaline still coursing through him. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for sure: his life¡ªand perhaps the galaxy¡ªwas about to change forever.

 Unwanted attention

    The High Council chamber, a grand, circular hall bathed in the golden glow of artificial sunlight, hummed with stoic authority. Seated at a raised dais, the councilors wore robes adorned with intricate patterns denoting their ranks and roles. A holographic star map rotated lazily at the center of the room, detailing Irepian-controlled systems.


    The council''s quiet deliberations were abruptly interrupted by a sharp, blaring alarm that echoed throughout the chamber. Red lights pulsed along the walls, and the holographic display shifted to an emergency alert.


    ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± Councilor Valtrix demanded, rising from his seat. Deep and commanding, his voice cut through the chaos like a blade.


    A junior officer rushed into the chamber, his expression pale and frantic. ¡°Councilors, we¡¯ve detected a breach in Sector 72-Beta¡ªa classified relic containment site. The stasis pod aboard the derelict Irepian vessel has been removed.¡±


    The chamber erupted in whispers, councilors exchanging concerned and accusatory glances. Councilor Atriel, a sharp-eyed woman with cold precision, narrowed her gaze at the officer.


    ¡°Who would dare tamper with a restricted relic?¡± she asked, her tone icy. ¡°And how did they bypass our monitoring protocols?¡±


    The officer hesitated before responding. ¡°The signature belongs to a reconnaissance vessel registered to Ostix Relvar, a operative of the Scientific Survey Corps. He was conducting an assessment in the region under Council orders.¡±


    ¡°Relvar?¡± Valtrix growled, his expression darkening. ¡°That insubordinate wretch has been a thorn in our side for years. He must have discovered the relic by accident.¡±


    ¡°Accident or not, his actions jeopardize the security of the entire Irepian domain,¡± Atriel said sharply. She turned to the holographic map, which now displayed Ostix¡¯s flight path. ¡°We must assume the Hokris are involved. Their bioships have been active in the area.¡±


    Valtrix slammed his hand on the table, reverberating through the chamber. ¡°This is why we ordered the suppression of all records related to the ancient Drixpal! If their existence becomes widely known¡ª¡±


    Atriel raised a hand to silence him. ¡°It¡¯s too late to argue over past decisions. We need to focus on containment.¡±


    Another councilor, younger and more reserved, leaned forward. ¡°If Ostix has the Drixpal, we need to intercept him immediately. Recall his ship before the Hokris catch him¡ªor worse, before he brings the relic here.¡±


    Atriel¡¯s sharp eyes flickered with annoyance. ¡°Bringing the relic here isn¡¯t an option. If the Hokris trace it back to us, we risk war on a scale we can¡¯t control.¡±


    Valtrix leaned forward, his voice a low growl. ¡°Then what do you propose, Atriel?¡±


    She glanced at the map, her lips curling into a grim line. ¡°We dispatch a covert retrieval team. They¡¯ll intercept Ostix and recover the pod before it can cause any further damage. If he resists... eliminate him.¡±


    The room fell silent. Even Valtrix seemed taken aback by the severity of her proposal.


    ¡°You would sanction the execution of one of our own?¡± he asked.


    ¡°If it¡¯s necessary to protect Irepian interests, yes,¡± Atriel replied hesitantly. ¡°The survival of our civilization outweighs the life of a single rogue operative.¡±


    The younger councilor hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. ¡°I¡¯ll prepare the retrieval team. But if we¡¯re too late and the Hokris recover the relic¡ª¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± Atriel interrupted, her tone final. ¡°We¡¯ll ensure they don¡¯t.¡±


    The holographic map zoomed in on Ostix¡¯s trajectory, the faint trail of his FTL jump disappearing into uncharted space. The councilors exchanged uneasy glances as the chamber dimmed, the weight of their decision settling over them.


    ¡°Let us hope,¡± Atriel said softly, more to herself than the others, ¡°that this mistake doesn¡¯t awaken something far worse than the Hokris.¡±


    Back aboard Ostix¡¯s ship, the Drixpal¡¯s stasis pod flickered faintly as the ancient systems continued to degrade. Ostix, oblivious to the chaos his actions had triggered in the High Council chamber, focused on stabilizing the pod¡¯s power connections in the med bay.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Helix, status report on the Drixpal,¡± Ostix asked, sweat beading on his forehead.


    ¡°The pod¡¯s life support is holding, but it¡¯s precarious,¡± Helix replied. ¡°You¡¯ve bought some time, but not much. If we don¡¯t transfer them out soon¡ª¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll lose them,¡± Ostix finished grimly. ¡°I know.¡±


    He glanced at the glowing figure within the pod. The Drixpal¡¯s translucent blue skin shimmered faintly, its features serene yet alien. Ostix couldn¡¯t help but feel a strange mix of awe and trepidation.


    ¡°Helix,¡± he said, his voice quieter now, ¡°what do you think it will do if it wakes up?¡±


    Helix paused before answering. ¡°Assuming they¡¯re not hostile? It will  either thank you¡ªor curse you for pulling them into this mess.¡±


    Ostix let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Sounds about right. Let¡¯s hope it¡¯s the former.¡±


    But as he worked, a proximity alarm blared. Helix¡¯s tone turned urgent.


    ¡°Multiple ships inbound¡ªunknown signatures. They¡¯re not Hokris.¡±


    Ostix¡¯s heart sank. He knew precisely who they were.


    ¡°The High Council,¡± he muttered. ¡°They¡¯ve found us.¡±


    the atmosphere had shifted from tense deliberation to calculated urgency in the High Council chamber. Councilor Atriel¡¯s sharp voice pierced the hum of the emergency systems.


    ¡°Have the retrieval team been dispatched yet?¡± she demanded, her eyes fixed on the holographic display tracking Ostix¡¯s last known position.


    A young officer at a nearby console straightened. ¡°Yes, Councilor. The team departed moments ago. Their intercept course will place them within range of Relvar¡¯s ship in approximately twenty minutes.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Atriel said. ¡°And the containment protocols?¡±


    ¡°Fully operational,¡± the officer confirmed. ¡°If the Drixpal is revived before extraction, the retrieval team is authorized to neutralize it.¡±


    This drew murmurs of dissent among the councilors. Councilor Valtrix¡¯s booming voice silenced them.


    ¡°Neutralize the Drixpal?¡± he growled. ¡°Do you know what kind of weaponized knowledge we could lose?¡±


    Atriel¡¯s icy gaze locked onto him. ¡°And what if that knowledge turns against us? The Drixpal have no love for Irepian-kind. If this being awakens with hostile intentions, the consequences could be catastrophic.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve survived worse threats,¡± Valtrix shot back, his fists clenched.


    ¡°No, we¡¯ve survived because we¡¯ve suppressed those threats,¡± Atriel countered. ¡°The relic containment sites exist for a reason, Councilor.¡±


    A third councilor, an older man with tired eyes, raised a hand. ¡°Enough. This debate is irrelevant if the Hokris recover the Drixpal first. Atriel¡¯s retrieval plan is our best course for now.¡±


    Atriel inclined her head, but her gaze lingered on Valtrix. The older councilor glared back before settling into his seat with a dissatisfied grunt.


    The holographic display zoomed in, showing the faint trail left by Ostix¡¯s ship. One of the junior officers spoke hesitantly. ¡°Councilors, there¡¯s an anomaly in the FTL wake from Relvar¡¯s ship.¡±


    ¡°What kind of anomaly?¡± Atriel demanded.


    ¡°It¡¯s faint, but it appears to be a secondary signal,¡± the officer said. ¡°Encrypted, ancient in origin... similar to the one emitted by the probe.¡±


    The councilors exchanged uneasy glances. Atriel¡¯s sharp mind processed the implications quickly.


    ¡°The Drixpal¡¯s pod is transmitting again,¡± she said. ¡°If the Hokris intercept that signal, they¡¯ll abandon their pursuit of the decoy.¡±


    Valtrix leaned forward, his expression grim. ¡°And come straight for Ostix.¡±


    Atriel turned back to the officer. ¡°Can we jam the signal remotely?¡±


    ¡°Negative,¡± the officer replied, his tone regretful. ¡°The encryption predates all known override protocols. We¡¯d need direct access to the pod¡¯s systems.¡±


    Atriel¡¯s hands tightened on the edge of the table. ¡°Then the retrieval team has even less time than we thought. Inform them of the signal and instruct them to expedite their mission.¡±


    The older councilor spoke again, his voice heavy with foreboding. ¡°And if the Hokris reach the Drixpal first?¡±


    Atriel didn¡¯t answer immediately. The silence in the chamber stretched uncomfortably until she finally spoke, her tone cold and final.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have no choice but to destroy the entire sector.¡±


    The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them like a shroud. Even Valtrix, ever the contrarian, didn¡¯t protest. The councilors understood the stakes¡ªif the Hokris acquired the Drixpal, it could tip the delicate balance of power in the galaxy. And the Irepian High Council wasn¡¯t prepared to let that happen.


    Meanwhile, aboard Ostix¡¯s ship, the proximity alarm grew louder. Helix¡¯s synthetic voice broke through the cacophony.


    ¡°Three ships inbound¡ªtwo from the High Council¡¯s retrieval team and one... unknown. It doesn¡¯t match any Irepian or Hokris designs.¡±


    Ostix¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Unknown? Could it be¡ª¡±


    ¡°Unlikely,¡± Helix cut in. ¡°The Hokris bioship is still pursuing the decoy. This is something else entirely.¡±


    Ostix cursed under his breath. ¡°How far out are they?¡±


    ¡°Council ships: six minutes. Unknown vessel: three,¡± Helix reported. ¡°And judging by their trajectories, they¡¯re all converging on us.¡±


    Ostix glanced at the Drixpal¡¯s pod, its faint glow pulsing steadily. The encrypted signal had to be the reason for all this chaos. His mind raced as he tried to formulate a plan.


    ¡°Helix, can we block the signal locally?¡± he asked, his voice tight.


    ¡°I can try to suppress it,¡± Helix replied. ¡°But the encryption is ancient and layered. I¡¯ll need time.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯d better work fast,¡± Ostix said. ¡°Because if they catch us, we¡¯re out of options.¡±


    As Helix began its work, Ostix prepared for the inevitable confrontation. His ship wasn¡¯t built for combat, but he had one advantage: the asteroid field surrounding the derelict vessel. It was a treacherous maze of debris, perfect for evading pursuers¡ªif he could outmaneuver them.


    ¡°Helix, plot a course through the asteroid field,¡± Ostix ordered. ¡°We¡¯ll make it as hard as possible for them to reach us.¡±


    ¡°And if they catch up?¡± Helix asked.


    Ostix glanced at the Drixpal, the faint glow reflecting in his visor. ¡°Then we hope this relic is worth the trouble.¡±