Speaker 1: Captain Sir John stood on the bridge of the Tdfandomitable
and watched her well dye. Through the massive windows that
stretched across the front of the ship, she could see
Earth burning. Orange and red flames covered the continents she
had known since childhood. The blue oceans were turning black
with smoke and ash. Captain, we need to leave now,
sick command a Tours from her position at the weapons
control station. Her voice was steady, but Sarah could hear
the pain underneath. Tours had family down there too, They
all did dot. Sarah looked at the tactical display floating
in front of her, where dots filled the screen. Each
one was Zephian worship. There were hundreds of them, maybe thousands.
They had come from beyond the outer planets, like a
swarm of angry insects. The Earth Defense Fleet had tried
to stop them. Most of those ships were now forwarding
to bre around the planet. The Indomitable was one of
only twelve ships left, twelve ships out of the three
hundred that had started the battle three days ago. They
were all that remained of Humanity Space Navy. So the
evacuation transports are ready to jump, reported Lieutenant Kime from
the communications station. They're waiting for a signal. Sarah nodded.
Behind them. Twenty large transport ships carried the last survivors.
They could save maybe fifty thousand people. Turtle. It was
not many compared to the eight billion who had lived
on Earth, but it was all they could manage. All ships.
This is Captain Chan, she said into her communications headset.
Execute emergency jump protocol, scatter pattern delta guilt luck to
all of you. One by one, the transport ships vanished
in flashes of blue light. Their quantum draws bent space
around them and sent them far away from the dying world.
Sarah hoped they would find Summer safe to land somewhere.
The Zephyrns would never find them. Captain, enemy ships are
moving to intercept us, Torahs said. We have maybe two
minutes before they are in weapons range. Sarah looked at
her crew. These people had followed her for three years.
They trusted her to get them home safe. But home
was gone now. There was nowhere left to go except away.
Lieutenant Patel, prepare the quantum drive for emergency jump, she ordered. Dot,
the young officer at the engineering station looked up with
worried eyes ma'am. The drive is still damaged from the
last battle. The quantum matrix is unstable. If Ah, we
try to jump now, I cannot promise what will happen?
What are urchoices? Sarah asked. We can try to repair it,
but that will take at least an ire, or we
can jump now in hope for the best. Sarah looked
at the tactical display again. More red dots were moving
toward them. Sefrians were not going to give them an
ir prep for immediate jump. She decided set course for
the Centaury system. Yes, ma'am, Patel said. His fingers moved
quickly over his control panel. Quantum drive charging warning lights
are showing all over the system, But we can make
the jump. Enemy ships in range Torres announced they're targeting
you as jump now. Sarah ordered dot, Buttel pressed the
activation switch. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the ship
began to shake. The lights on the bridge flickered on
and off. Sarah could hear a strange humming sound coming
from somewhere deep in the ship. It was not the
normal sound. The quantum drive made some things wrong, Tatel said,
sweat forming on his forehead. The quantum field is not stabilizing.
It's growing stronger instead of leveling off. Through the windows,
Sarah could see space itself beginning to bend and twist
around them. Stirr stretched into long lines of light. The
burning earth began to look strange, like someone was pulling
it apart and putting it back together at the same time.
Cut the power, Sarah shouted over the growing noise. I'm trying,
Patel replied, The system is not responding. The quantum matrix
is creating its own power. Now it's feeding on itself.
The shaking got worse. Sarah had to hold on to
her command shared his day. Standing around the bridge, her
crew grabbed whatever they could to keep from falling. The
computer screens flickered between normal displays and strange patterns of law,
light and color. Captain Torres called out look. At this,
Sarah turned to see what Torres was pointing at. Outside
the windows, Earth was changing. The plant seemed to be
moving away from them, but not in the normal way.
It was like watching someone slowly turn down the brightness
on the light. Wife was getting dimmer and smaller, but
the stars around it were getting brighter. The quantum field
is tearing a hole in space time, Patel explained, his
voice filled with amazement and fear. We're not just moving
through space, we're moving through time itself. Sarah felt her
stomach drop. Time travel was still just theory. No one
had ever actually done it before. The quantum dras could
bend space, but bending time was supposed to be impossible.
How do we stop it, she asked, I don't think
we can, but Til said, we just have to write
it out and hope we survive. The humming sound grew
louder and higher in pitch. Sarah could feel it in
her bones. Now. The ship continued to shake, and she
wondered if the hull could handle the stress. If the
Indomitable broke apart during the jump, they would be scattered
across time and space. No one would ab we know
what happened to him. All hands prepare for emergency landing,
she announced over the ship's communication system. Secure everything that
can be secured. This is going to be rough. For
several more minutes, the ship continued its strange journey through
whatever the quantum drive had created. Sarah watch the view
outside changed from normal space to something that looked like
a tunnel made of light and color. She could see
patterns moving in the walls of the tunnel, but they
hurt her eyes to look it directly. Then suddenly everything stopped.
The shaking ended, the humming sound faded away, the lights
on the bridge returned to normal. Outside the windows, Sarah
could see normal space again, filled with normal stars. Stutt's report.
She called out all systems coming back online. Torres reported,
all integrity is good, no major damage detected. Navigation systems
are working out of Lieutenant Kim. But Captain, you need
to see this. Kim transferred her display to the mean screen.
Sarah looked at the star chart and frowned. She did
not recognize any of the star patterns shown there. Where
are we, she asked, I don't know. Kim added, none
of these stars match anything in our charts. It's like
we're in a completely different part of the galaxy or
a completely different time. But Tell added quietly, run a
full censor, sweet, Sarah ordered, find out what around us.
For the next several minutes, the crew worked to figure
out where and when they were. The censors picked up
radio signals from nearby star systems. The computer analyzed the
signals and compared them to known languages and codes. Captain
Kim sen, her voice sounding strange. I think you need
to hear this. Kim played one of the radio signals
through the bridge speakers, Pettier voices speaking in a language
that sounded almost familiar. After a few seconds, the computer
finished translating it. This is Imperial station omegam in A seven.
The translated voice said, all ships approaching the Kronos system
must abmit to inspection by order of the Zephyan Empire.
The sector is under military control. Any vessel that does
not comply will be destroyed. Sarah felt the blood drain
from her face. The Zephrin Empire the same aliens who
had just destroyed Earth. But how could they be here?
How could they already control this part of space? Kim,
when were these signals sent? She asked. Doc Can checked
her instruments. According to the computer, these signals are current.
They're being broadcast right now. That's impossible, Tors said, we
just left Earth. The Zephrians were just starting their invasion.
They can't already control other star systems unless Patel said slowly.
We didn't just travel through space, We traveled through time too,
and we went forward, not backward. Sayre stared at the
sarchyard in the mint screen. If Patel was right, then
they were not just lost in space, they were lost
in time too, and if the Zephyrians already controlled this
part of the galaxy, then they had been traveling through
time for much longer than just a few minutes. Computer
analyzed the technology level of these radio signals she ordered.
The computer worked for several seconds before responding technology level
is approximately eight hundred to one thousand years more advanced
than current at standards. The bridge fell silent. Sarah closed
her eyes and tried to procesess what she was hearing.
Eight hundred years they had traveled eight hundred years into
the future. Earth was not just destroyed, it had been
destroyed centuries ago. Every One they had ever known was
long dead. Captain Tars said, softly, what do we do now?
Sarah opened her eyes and looked at her crew. These
brave people had followed her through hell and now they
were stranded in the future with their entire civilization was
nothing but a memory. But they were still alive. They
still had their ship, and if the Zephyrins thought humanity
was extinct, then maybe that gave them an advantage. We survived,
she said firmly. We learn about this new time we
were in, and we figure out how to make the
Zephyrns pay for what they did to our world. She
turned to Kim plot a course for the edge of
the Stow System. Keep us away from those imperial stations.
We need to stay hidden until we understand what we're
dealing with. Yes, ma'am, Kim, replied Dott. As the Indomitable
began moving through the strange new universe they found themselves in,
Sarah wondered what they would find. The galaxy had clearly
changed the loth in eight hundred years, but one thing
had stayed the same. The Zephyrns were still out there,
still conquering and destroying Dot. Sarah made herself a promise. Somehow,
in some way, she would make sure they paid for Earth,
even if it took another eight hundred years. Three days
had passed since the Indomitable arrived in the future. Captain
Sara Chun stood in the ship's briefing room, looking at
the holographic display that showed the star system they had entered.
Her senior officer sat around the table, all of them
trying to understand their new situation. What have we learned
so far, Sarah aste. Lieutenant Kim activated her data pad.
We've been monitoring imperial communications for seventy two hours. The
good news is that ut translation computers can understand their language.
It's evolve from the same cephrin re encountered at Earth,
but it's much more complex now. An't the bad news?
Ask Commander Taurus. The Sefrian Empire controls everything. Kim replied,
I mean everything, Captain. They have conquered the entire galaxy.
There are no independent worlds left, no free species. Everyone
serves the Empire now. Sar fell to coldway in her stomach.
She had hoped that maybe some part of the galaxy
had remained free during the eight hundred years they had
been traveling through time, but it seemed the Zephians had
finished what they started at Earth. What about other humans,
asked Lieutenant Attel from his position at the engineering station.
Are there any human colonies out there? Him? Shook her
head sadly, According to the imperial records we've been able
to access. Humanity was completely eliminated during the first century.
After a fell, the Empire spent a lot of effort
hunting down every human settlement and transport ship. They wanted
to make sure none of us arrived. The room fell quiet.
Sarah could see the pain on her crew's faces. They
had known their families on Earth were gone, but they
had held on to hope that maybe some humans had
escaped to distant colonies. Now even that hope was dead.
There is one piece of interesting information, Kim continued. The
Imperial communications mentioned a heavily fortified world called Coroner's Prime.
It's the regional capital for this part of the galaxy.
According to what we've intercepted, it supposed to be most
offended planet in the Empire. How heavily defended torres astock.
Kim brought up another display, very heavily. Our senses show
over two hundred worships in orbit around the planet, plus
dozens of space stations armed with weapons that could destroy
entire fleets. The planet itself as shield generators that can
protect it from any attack. Sarah studded the information Krono's
Prime was clearly important to the Sepherians. What makes us
planet so special? It's where they store their most important
military equipment to research, Kim explained, And it's also where
they keep their historical records, including records about the species
they've conquered, including records about us. Sarah realized, yes, ma'am,
if we want to understand what really happened to humanity,
that planet is where we'll find the answers. Sarah walked
to the window and looked out at the stars. Somewhere
out there was a world that held the complete story
of how her species had died. Part of her wanted
to know the truth, but another part was afraid of
what they might discover. Captain Torres said, we can't see
be thinking about going to that planet. It's suicide one
ship against their entire fleet. I'm not talking about attacking,
Sarah replied, I'm talking about getting close enough to learn
what we're really dealing with. We need to understand how
the Empire works now, what their weaknesses might be. With respect, ma'am.
Tettle said, our ship is eight hundred years old compared
to their technology. They'll spot us the moment we get
with insense arrange. Sarah turned back to her offices. Maybe
or maybe they'll see exactly what we want them to see. Kim,
show me those Imperial ship designs you've been analyzing. Kim
brought up images of modern Cepphrian warships. They were sleek
and beautiful, with smooth curves and gleaming metal holes. They
looked nothing like the chunky, practical design of the Indomitable.
Look at the difference, Sarah said. Their ships are built
for efficiency and control. They're designed to look impressive and intimidating.
But our ship was built for war, real war. We
expect to get shot at and maybe die. What are
you thinking, Captain Torres asked, I'm thinking that after eight
hundred years of easy victories, they might have forgotten what
a real warship looks like. To them, the Indomitable might
just look like some old cargo ship or mining vessel,
something too primitive to be a threat. Sarah could see
her officers considering this idea. It was risky, but it
might work. Even if they don't see us as a threat,
Fitzal said, they'll still want to inspect us. Standard imperial
procedure requires all ships to submit to boarding an inspection.
Then we let them board us. Sarah said. We played
a part of confused travelers who don't understand Imperial well.
We act harmless and stupid while we cather intelligence that's
extremely dangerous. Torres wand if they figure out who we
really are dot dot, then we fed our way out,
Sarah finished, But I don't think it will come to that.
From what we've learned, the Empire hasn't fought a real
war in censures. They're use of dealing with helpless civilians,
not soldiers. Sarah made her decision. Kim plot course for
Crono's Prime, but take us in slowly. I want us
to look like an old ship that's having engine trouble. Yes, ma'am,
Tim replied, Porras, have your security teams ready, but keep
all weapons powered down. We don't want to give them
any reason to be suspicious. Under stowed Captain Petel, I
want you to make some modifications to our computer systems.
If they try to Ax's O databasses, I want them
to see exactly what we want them to see. What
should they see, Patel asked. The Tessera smiled grimly. They
should see the records of a small mining operation that's
been working the Outer Room for decades. Nothing important, nothing threatening,
just some humans who somehow managed to survive in a
forgotten corner of the galaxy. Over the next six hours,
the crew prepared for their dangerous mission. Patel worked with
the computer technicians to create fake records that would fool
any Imperial inspection. TOAs brief to security teams on how
to act like frightened civilians instead of trained soldiers. Kim
program their course to make the ship look like it
was struggling with engine problems. Sarah spent the time studying
everything they had learned about imperial society. What she discovered
was both encouraging and terrified. The Zephyrine Empire had grown
incredibly powerful over the past eight hundred years. They controlled
millions of worlds and billions of different species. Their technology
was far beyond anything Earth had ever possessed, but there
were signs of weakness to The Empire had grown so
large that it was difficult to manage. Different sectors sometimes
fought with each other over resources and authority. Cephia military
was bred in across the galaxy, trying to control too
many worlds with two few ships. Most importantly, the Empire
had not fought a real war in over three centuries.
Their last major conflict had been against a species called
the Kovani, who had tried to rebel against imperial rule.
The Kovonni had been crushed quickly and completely. Since then,
the Empire had only dealt with smaller pressings and pirate raids.
Captain came an ounce from the bridge. Were approaching the
edge of the Krono's system. I'm reading multiple censorous sweeps.
They've detected us. Sarah made her way to the bridge
and took her command share. On the main screen, she
could see the distant clo of Krono's prime style. The
planet itself was still too far away to see clearly,
but the sense of sure dozens of ships moving to
intercept them. Income and Transmission Kim reported put it on screen.
The main display showed a Zephrin officer in an elaborate uniform.
Sarah had studied their military ranks, and she could see
this one was fairly high ranking. His forearms were covered
in ceremonial mockings, and his reptilian face showed the confidence
of someone who had never been challenged unknown vessel. The
Zephrin said an accented but clear human language. You are
entering restricted imperial space. Identify yourself immediately. Sarah stood up
and tried to look nervous and confused. This is captain
chan of the mining ship Indomitable. We're having engine problems
and neat assistance. We didn't know this area was restricted
Dephriyn officer studied her with his large golden eyes. Mining ship,
Your vessel does not match any known mining configurations in
our databases. We're an old independent operation, Sarah replied. We've
been working the abbor Rim for years. Our ship is
pretty old and as modified many times for different jobs.
Where are you from? Originally, Sarah had prepared for this question.
Our families came from the Old Earth colonils before the
Empire brought order to the galaxy. We've been miners for generations.
The officer's expression changed slightly. Sarah could see surprise and
made you a little amusement on his face. He amends
I thought your species had been completely eliminated centuries ago.
Most of us were, Sarah said, trying to sound sad
and defeated, but a few small groups managed to survive
in the outer systems. We just tried to stay out
everyone's way and make a living. The officer turned to
speak with someone offscreen. Sarah could hear him talking in
rapid zephrine. She caught a few words primitive, harmless and
museum Captain Chun the officers had when he turned back.
You and your vessel will submit to immediate inspection. Any
attempt to resist to result in your destruction. We understand,
Sarah replied. We don't want any trouble. We just need
help fixing our engines. The boarding party will arrive within
the io prepared to receive Imperial inspectors. The transmission ended,
and Sarah sat back down in her commands chair. The
first part of her plan had worked. The Zephyrins saw
them as exactly what she wanted them to see, and
a group of pathetic survivors who posed no threat to
any one Torres. She said, quietly. Make sure everyone knows
their roles were frightened civilians who are grateful for Imperial protection. Yes, ma'am.
What if they want to take some of us for questioning,
then we co operate completely. Remember we're trying to learn
about them, not fight them. Not yet. Sarah looked at
the tactical display showing the Imperial ships surrounding them. Each
one of those vessels was probably more powerful than anything
Earth had ever built, but power wasn't everything. Sometimes the
side that lookquika had advantages the stronger side couldn't see dot.
As they waited for the Imperial boarding party to arrive,
Sarah thought about the records they hoped to find on
Crono's Prime. Somewhere in those files as the complete story
of Humanity's destruction. But maybe if they were clever and careful,
those same files could help them plan Humanity's revenge the Empire.
The human race was extinct, that mistake might be the
only advantage Sharer and her crew would ever have. She
intended to make the most of it. Admiral Vexter stood
on the command deck of his flagship, the Imperial Supremacy,
and watched the strange old ship drift slowly toward Kroner'sbrime.
In his four hundred years of service to the Empire,
he had never seen anything quite like it. The vessel
was clearly ancient, with the gama plating and by pamounts
that looked primitive compared to modern Imperial designs. Sir is
a Commander Zacolin approached with the data pad. The inspection
team has completed a preliminary report on the human vessel.
Vexter took the pad and read through the information. His
golden eyes wide and slightly as he absorbed what his
officers had discovered. Fascinating a genuine, preambibial human wilsheby thought
all such vessels had been destroyed centuries ago. The human's
claim it to a mining shipsicckle and said, but our
engineers can clearly see weapon systems and military grad armor
that simply been disabled or modified over the years. Of
course its military Vexter replied with amusement. Look at the design.
Those humans built everything for war back then. Even their
car go ships had guns on them. It's no wonder
they caused us so much trouble in the early years.
Dexter walked to the observation window and studied the human
ship more carefully. The Indomitable was less than half the
size of the smallest Esco vessel, and its technology was
laughably outdated. But something about its designs spoke to him.
This is a ship built by a species that expected
to fight for its survival. Sir, what should we do
with them? Zikolin asked. Standard procedure would be to process
them through the civilian integration system. No Vextor said firmly,
this is a piece of living history. The Imperial Museum
on Krohner's Prime has been asking for authentic human artifacts
for years. A complete worship with actual human crew members
would be the greatest addition to their collection in centuries.
You want to put them in the museum eventually, but
first I want to study them. It's been a long
time since anyone has seen how humans actually behave during
their military period. This could provide valuable insights for our
historical records. The extor activated his command communicator, Captain Yardex's
you will score the human vessel to Krono's Prime, sign
them a temporary orbit in the outer System. I want
full cens of scans of the ship and detailed into
views with their crew. Yes, Admiral, came the reply from
one of his frigate captains. Should we consider them a
security risk? Dexter almost laughed at the question. Captain, that
ship is eight hundred years old. Its weapons are so
primitive they couldn't damage our shields even if they were
fully operational. The humans themselves are clearly terrified and cooperative.
What possible threat could they pose on the bridge of
the Indomitable Captain Sarah Chun listened to the Imperial communications
through her ship's monitoring system translation computer was working perfectly,
allowing her to understand every word the Cephrians said about
her and her crew. They think we're a museum piece.
Commandator said quietly. Goods There replied, that's exactly what we
want them to think. Lieutenant Kim looked up from our station,
Captain and picking up detailed scans from the Imperial ships.
They map in our entire hull structure. Let them scan,
Sarah said, Patel, are our fake computer records ready, Yes, ma'am.
The engineer officer replied. If they axe as our databases,
they'll find exactly what we want them to find. Mining logs, equipment, manifests,
personal records of families who have been living in the
outer room for generations. Nothing that suggests were anything more
than harmless survivors. Sarah watched the tactical display as Imperial
ships moved into escort formation around them. Cephrians were being careful,
but not because they saw the Indomitable as a threat.
They were treating a ship like a valuable antique that
needed to be protected from damage. Incoming transmission, Kim announced,
put it through a new Zephrin officer appeared on the
main screen. This one wore the uniform of a ship captain,
and his manner was more business like than the previous
officer they had spoken with, Captain Chong m Captain Yarctics
of the Imperial Navy, You will follow my ship to
a temporary orbital position around Crono's Prime. Do you not
deviate from the course we provide, and do not power
up any of your ship's weapons systems. We understand, Sarah replied,
maintaining her act of being a nervous civilian. Our weapons
haven't worked in years anyway. We just want to get
our engines repaired so we can get back to our
mining operation. Your engines will be examined by Imperial technicians
once we reach orbit. Admiral Vexter wishes to speak with
you and your crew personally. Sarah felt a moment of concern.
Talking to her high ranking Imperial officer was risky, but
it was also an opportunity to gather more intelligence about
how the Empire really worked. We'll be honored to meet
with the Admiral, she said. Good, follow our course and
maintain communication silence until we reach orbit. The transmission ended
and Sarah turned to her crew. You heard him. Everyone's
stay in character where imperial protection and maybe a little
odd by how powerful the empire is. What about weapons,
Tours asked us. Security teams a hidden throughout the ship,
but if they do a thorough search, they won't, Sarah
said confidently. Look at how they're treating us. They see
us as harmus relics from the past. In their minds,
We're already defeated. We're not enemies to be fought. What
curiosity is to be studied. As a small convoy, our
ships moved toward Krone's prime. They used the time to
observe the imperial fleet more closely. The censors showed her
exactly what she had expected to see. The Zephyrian trips
were beautiful and obviously powerful, but they were designed for
a very different kind of warfare than what humans had practiced.
Imperial vessels were built for quick, overwhelming strikes against enemies
who couldn't fight back effectively. Their weapons were designed for
precision attacks that would disabled enemy ships without destroying valuable
cargo or enslave populations. Their defenses were optimized to handle
energy weapons and conventional missiles, but there were gaps in
their design. The Imperial ships had minimal armor compared to
human vessels. They relied almost entirely on their shields for protection.
Theirformations were perfect for intimidating civilians, but they left openings
that a military mind could exploit torrosts, Sarah said, quietly,
Are you seeing what I'm seeing? The tactical officer nodded slowly.
Deformations are designed for show, not for mutual support. If
one of their ships lost shields, the others couldn't provide
effective covering fire. And look at their weapon placement, Sarah added,
everything is forward faced from maximum intimidation effect. They have
huge blind spots on their flanks and rear. Captain Battel said,
from his engineering station, a manalizing their power signatures. These
ships are incredibly powerful, but they are also incredibly complex.
If something goes wrong with their main systems, they dowed
of good back up options. Sir nodded. The Imperial fleet
was impressive, but it was impressive in the way a
parade was impressive. Everything was designed to look perfect and unstoppable,
but parades didn't win battles against enemies who were willing
to fight dirty. Kim, are you picking up any communications
about us, Yes, ma'am. The imperial officers are very excited
about finding us. They keep talking about how Rared iss
to see authentic Keemen technology and culture. Admiral Vexter has
apparently ordered his research deans to prepare detailed studies of
our ship and crew. What kind of studies historical analysis,
technological assessment, cultural observation. They want to document everything about
us for their archives. Sair almost smiled. The Sephrians were
so confident and in their superiority that they saw no
danger in studying their former enemies up close. They thought
humanity was extinct, so a few surviving humans were just
interesting specimens to be examined and cataloged. Captain Torres said,
I'm getting a better look at Krono's Primes defenses now.
The main screens wereched to show the approaching planet. Sarah
had to admit it was an impressive site. Krono's Prime
was surrounded by rings of space stations, each one bristling
with weapons that could destroy entire fleets. Hundreds of wahts
moved in precise patterns around the planet. Their formation so
perfectly looked like a complex dance. How many ships? Sarah asked,
I count two hundred thirty seven warships of various classes.
Tors replied, plus forty two arms based stations. And those
are just the ones we can see. There are probably
more hidden behind a planet or in the outer system.
What about the planet? Are shields multiple layers? The planet
has at least six separate shield generators, each one powerful
enough to protect the entire surface. According to our sensors,
those shields could stop anything short of the supernova. Saya
studded the defensive set up around Krono's prime. It was
exactly what she would expect from an empire that had
grown complacent enough the centuries of easy victories. The defenses
were designed to stop massive frontal attacks by conventional fleets.
They were built to handle enemies who would announce their
presents then fight according to acceptive rules of warfare. They
weren't designed to handle a single ship that didn't look
like a threat, a ship that could get close to
the planet by pretending to be harm us, A ship
whose crew knew how to fight like cornered animals instead
of civilized soldiers. Kim, how close do ye think we
could get to the planet before they considered as a threat?
Based on their current formation, probably within a few thousand
kilometers of the surface. They are treating us like a
VIP transport, not a potential enemy. And what would happen
if Faichet that closed to the planet suddenly started attacking
their commence enters, Kim thought for a moment, it would
cause chaos. The defensive formations are designed to stop attacks
from outside the system, not from inside our own perimeter.
Sarah looked around at her crew. These people had followed
her through impossible before. They had watched their home world
burn and somehow survive being for an eight hundred years
into the future. Now they were surrounded by an enemy
fleet that could destroy them in second if the Zephrians
realized what they really were. But the enemy didn't realize.
The Imperial forces saw exactly what Sarah wanted them to see,
a harmless group of survivors who posed no threat to
any one. That misunderstanding might be the only chance humanity
would ever have for revenge. All right, people, Sir said quietly,
We're going to play a part perfectly. We're going to
let them study us and examine our ship. We're going
to answer all the questions and act grateful for their protection,
and then Torres asked, and then we're going to show
then why the Empire needed an entire galaxy to stop humanity.
The first time Admiral Vexter walked through the corridors of
the Innominable genuine fascination. He had brought a team of
twelve imperial offices and scientists to examine the ancient human warship,
and every step revealed something new about how humans had
once lived and fought. Look at this armor plating, he
said to doctor Martton, the Empire's leading expert on extincts
of lifeations. It's so thick and crude compared to our
modern hole materials, but you can see how much punishment
it was designed to take. Doctor Merton ran one of
her four hands along the metal wall, fascinating. The humans
clearly expected their ships to be damaged in battle. Everything
is built with redundant systems and back up power sources.
Captain Sarah Chunwap beside them, playing her role as a
humble mining captain who was honored to host such important
imperial visitors. Our ancestors built things to last, She said,
what sounded like simple pride. They didn't have access to
the advanced materials the Empire yeases now, of course not
Vexter agreed, your people were quite primitive back then, but
there's something to be said for this practical approach to engineering.
Sarah nodded and smiled, while secretly she was camped in
the number of weapons her escorts carried and noting the
locations of her own crew members throughout the ship. Lieutenant
Patel was in engineering, supposedly showing the Imperial technicians their
broken quantum drive. COMMANDATURERS was in the armory explaining how
their disabled weapons systems had been converted from mining operations.
Admiral Doctor Merton said, I would very much like to
interview the crew members individually. Their personal accounts of life
in the outer Room could provide valuable cultural data, an
excellent idea, vext replied, Captain Chan. Would you and your
people be willing to co operate with our research? Of course,
Sarah said, We're grateful for any help the Empire can provide.
We've been isolated for so long we hardly know anything
about how the galaxy works now. What Vexto didn't know
was that Sarah's crew had been preparing for this moment
for ours. Every person on the ship knew exactly what
to do when the signal came. The imperial boarding party
had been allowed to spread throughout the vessel, thinking they
were conducting a peaceful inspection. In reality, they had walked
into a carefully planned trap. Tell me, Captain vex our side.
As they entered the bridge, how many humans are left
in the outer room. Your group can be the only survivors.
Sarah looked sad and defeated very few, Admiral, maybe a
few thousand, scattered across dozens of systems. We try to
stay in contact, but it's difficult when you're always moving
to avoid well, to avoid attracting attention. You were afraid
of the Empire. We thought you might see us as
a threat, Sir admitted. Our ancestors fought against the Empire
during the early Expansion. We were taught that imperial forces
would kill any humans they found. Vexter laughed, a harsh
sound that came from deep in his troupe. Captain, your
ancestors were indeed a threat eight hundred years ago. They
fought like madmen and caused the Empire considerable trouble. But
look around you. Look at your ship compared to mine,
how could you possibly threaten any one now? Sarah glanced
at Commander Torrors, who was standing near the weapon's control station.
Terroes gave her a tiny not everything was ready, right,
Admiral Syah cedrin overt to any one at that moment.
Lieutenant Kim, who was at the communication station, suddenly looked
up with excitement. Captain and getting a message from one
of our mining ships. They say they found something incredible
in the asteroid belt. Sir a frond as if this
was unexpected news or kind to something. They won't say
over open channels, but there asking for immediate assistance. Admiral
Vexter looked interested. War humans, possibly, Sarah replied, or maybe
they found some kind of valuable mineral deposit. Admiral, I
hate to us this, but would it be possible for
us to go check on our people were responsible for
their safety. Vexter considered this requests. The idea of finding
more human survivors was appealing to him. It would make
his historical discovery even more significant. Very well, he decided,
But my ships will escort you, and I will remain
aboard your vessel to continue my research. Of course, Sarah
said gratefully, thank you for your understanding. What Admiral Vexto
didn't realize was that there was no mining ship sending messages.
The entire communication had been faked by Lieutenant Kim, But
the admiral's decision to split his fleet was exactly what
Sarah had been hoping for. Kim sent a reply to
our mining ship, Sarah ordered, tell them we're coming with
imperial escort. As the Indomitable began moving away from Crono's Prime,
with half of the Imperial fleet following, Sarah felt a
familiar tension that came before Badel. In a few minutes,
everything would change. The Empire would learn that humanity was
not as extinct as they believed. Admiral Doctor Merton said,
studying her portable scanner, I'm detecting some unusual energy readings
from their engineering section. What kind of readings, Vexter asked.
The quant and drive appears to be more active than
it should be for a ship traveling at normal speed.
Sarah's heart began beating faster, but she kept her expression calm.
Lieutenant Patel has been working on our engine problems, she explained.
He said something about needing to recalibrate the quantum matrix.
Perhaps I should take a look, Doctor Murton suggested, I
have considerable experience with quantum drive technology. I don't think
that would be safe, Sarah said quickly. Our engineer said,
the system is very unstable right now. One mam ajustment
could cause a complete paraphailure. Vexter waved one of his
hands dismissively. Doctor let the humans handle their primitive technology.
I'm more interested in starting the cultural practices. But doctor
Murton was not satisfied. She activated her communicator and spoken
rapids effete into some one in the Admiral's flagship. Sarah
couldn't understand all of it, but she caught enough was
to know that the scientist was asking for a detailed
gown of the indomitable quantum drive. Sarah looked at Tours again.
This time her tactical officer held up five fingers then
for then three. The count dun had begun. Admiral Sarah said,
there's something I need to tell you about my crew.
What about them? They are not really Whynus Dix's golden
eyes focus on her with sudden attention. What do you
mean I mean? Sarah said, As Torres reached Cyru on
her countdown. They're soldiers. The bridge lights suddenly went out,
replaced by red emergency lighting. Sarah heard the sound of
weapons being drawn throughout the ship as her security teams
moved into action. The Imperial officers barely had time to
react before they found themselves surrounded by armed humans. What
is the meaning of this, the ext do demanded, reaching
for his side arm don't, Tors said, firmly, pointing her
weapon at the admirals chest. Your people are unumbered and
a gunn on the ship. This is impossible, Doctor Merton said,
You're just primitive survivors. You can't. Her words were cut
off as the ship's mad An engine suddenly roared to life.
But instead of the normal sound of quantum drive activation,
there was something else, something that made the entire vessel
shaken vivory. What are you doing, Bexter shouted over the noise.
Sarah walked to the main display and activated the external cameras.
The view showed the Imperial fleet that had been escorting them,
but now those ships were turning to face the Indomitable
with obvious confusion. Fatel, Sarah called her engineering officer status rapport.
Quantum drive modifications are complete, Captain, came the reply from
the ship's internal communication system. We're ready to show them
what a real human water can do. You're insane, Bexter said.
Even if you destroy my escort ships, the fleet of
Crono's Prime will hunt you down and kill you. Maybe,
Sarah greed, but first we're going to remind the galaxy
why it took an entire empire to stop humanity. The
first time on the tactical display, Sarah could see the
Imperial Escort ship's power rowing up their weapons. They were
still confused about what was happening, but their training was
starting to take over. Torres tug at the lead cruiser. Cartel,
give me everything the quantum Drive can handle, Captain Doctor
Merton said, desperately. You don't understand. Our technology is eight
hundred years more vanced than yours. Your weapons can't even
penetrate our shields. Sarah smiled grimly. Doctor, that's we're wrong,
you see. Our weapons aren't eight hundred years old, they're
eight hundred years proven. The indomitable soddenly accelerated toward the
Imperial fleet with a speed that caught them completely off guard.
Cefrian ships were built for elegant maneuvers and impressive displays
of power, they weren't designed for the brutal, direct approach
that humans favored. Fire. Sir ordered the ship's railvens opened
up with a fenderous row that could be felt throughout
the vessel. These weren't energy weapons that could be absorbed
by shield. These were physical projectiles, moving at incredible speeds,
designed to punch true armor and keep going. The fairest
Imperial cruisers shields flared and died as the real gun
rans tore through the like paper. The Zephyrins are designed
their defenses to handle energy weapons and conventional missiles. They
had no experience with the simple, brutal effectiveness of accelerated
metal projectiles. Impossible, Vexto whispered as he watched his ships
take damage. They weren't equipped to handle Torrahs launch missiles
spread Sarah commanded the Indomitable's missile tubes opened and fired
a swarm of projectiles at the Imperial fleet. But these
weren't the precision guided weapons as Zephrins expected. These were
cost ammunitions designed to overwhelm point defense systems and create
maximum chaos. Captain Kim reported, the Imperial ships are breaking formation.
They're not sure how to respond to our attack patterns.
Sarah watched as the elegant Imperial fleet dissolved into confusion.
Their formations were designed for intimidation and control, not for
actual combat against an enemy that fought back effectively attel
Prepare the quantum ram, Sarah ordered, quantum ram. Doctor Moten
asked in horror, that's impossible. No one would weaponize a
quantum drive. No one accept humans. Sarah replied, we weaponize everything, doctor,
It's what we do. The damaged quantum drive began to
build up energy in a way it was never designed
to handle. Instead of creating a stable feel for faster
than light travel, it was creating an unstable field that
would tear apart anything it touched. You're all insane, Vexter said,
that will destroy your own ship along with ires. Maybe.
Sarah agreed, but we're already dead according to your empire.
We're just ghosts coming back to haunt you. The Indomitable
charged directly at the largest Imperial cruiser, its damaged quantum drive,
creating a field of distort to face time around the
ship's hull. The Zephyrne captain tried to evade, but his
ship was built for grace, not desperate maneuvers. The collision
tore both ships apart, but the quantum field kept expanding,
reaching out to grab two more Imperial vessels and shed
them like tissue paper. This is Admiral Vexter, the defeated
Zephyn said, and to his communicator, all ships fall back immediately.
The humans are not what we thought they were. But
it was too late. The Indomitable had already proven its point.
The Imparese, supposedly invincible feet was scattered and bound, defeated
by a single ship they had considered harmas. As alarms
ran throughout the surviving Imperial vessels, Sarah made her final
transmission to the galaxy. This is Captain Sarah Chon of
the Terraned Fence Force. Humanity is not extinct. We're coming home.
Captain Sarah chan stood in the damaged bridge of the Indomitable,
watching the burning remains of the Imperial Fleet drift through space.
Half of her ship was gone, torn apart by the
quantum explosion that had destroyed free enemy cruzers. Emergency lighting
cast reatchaddos across the bridge, and she could hear the
sounds of her crew working frantically to keep the ship together.
Damage report. She called out, hullbreach on decks seven through twelve.
Commander Torres replied, blood running down her face from a
cut on her forehead. We've lost main power to the
weapons systems and life support is running on back up
power only. How long do we have? Maybe six eyes
before the air runs out? Maybeless if we have to
do any more fighting. Sarah looked at the tactical display.
The Imperial fleet at Krono's Prime was moving toward them,
but slowly. The surviving ships from Admiral v Escort Force
had sent warnings about the human vessel's capabilities, and the
Imperial commanders were being much more careful now him. Are
you getting any communications from the Imperial fleet? Yes, ma'am,
Lieutenant Can said from her damaged console. They are arguing
among themselves about how to handle us. Some one to
attack immediately, others want to wait for reinforcements. What about
our transmission did he get through? Kim smiled, despite their
desperate situation, yes, ma'am, our message is being broadcast on
all Imperial communication channels across the galaxy. They are trying
to stop it, but it's too late. The signal has
already reached dozens of star systems. Sarah felt a moment
of satisfaction. Even if they died in the next few hours,
they had accomplished something important. The galaxy would know that
humanity still existed. Empires lie about completely destroying the human
race had been exposed. Captain Torros said, what are your orders?
We can't fight the entire Crono's fleet, but we could
try to make a run for it. What would we
run to, Sarah asked, Our quantum drive is destroyed. We're
stuck in the system until we die. Then we take
as many of them with us as we can. Torres
replied grimly. Sarah was about to agree when Kim suddenly
looked up from her communication station with excitement, Captain and
picking up something strange. There are new signals coming from
all over the galaxy. What kind of signals? Rebellion communications?
Planets that have been under Imperial control for centuries are
starting to broadcast resistance messages. They're using our transmission as
a rally cry. Sarah moved to Kym's station and listened
to the translated messages flowing in from across the galaxy.
What she heard made her heart raise with hope she
hadn't felt since Earth burned. People are Andrexis. This is
the free and Direxis movement. The humans have returned the
Empire led to us resistance as possible Covoni freedom fighters
to all oppressed worlds. If humanity can survive eight hundred
years of imperial hunting, we can survive too. Eyes up.
This is the underground network of prox MC Colony. The
human worship has shown us away. The Empire is not invincible,
Captain Kim said, with wonder in her voice. Rebellions are
starting on over forty worlds. The Imperial communication networks are
being jammed by resistance groups using our signal as a
cord to nation code. Sarah could hardly believe what she
was hearing. The single act of defiance had sparked something
much larger than she had ever imagined. The oppressed peoples
of the galaxy, who had lived under imperial rule for centuries,
were finally finding the courage to fight back. Ma'am torsaid,
the Imperial fleet is changing course. They are not coming
toward us any more. Sarah looked at the tactical display
and saw all that Torres was right. The Imperial ships
were breaking off from their attack formation and scattering to
different parts of the system. They're receiving emergency calls from
across their territory, Kim explained. Rebellions are breaking out faster
than they can respond. They are being forced to split
their forces to deal with uprisings on multiple worlds. Admiral Vickstar,
who had been sitting quietly under God since the battle,
suddenly spoke up. You've no idea what you've done, he said, bitterly.
You've doomed billions of innocent people to war and suffering. No,
Sarah replied firmly. We've given them hope. The Empire doomed
them to slavery. We're giving them a chance to be free.
Your one damage ship with a crew of maybe three
hundred people, Vexter continued. Even with these rebellions, the Empire
controls millions of worlds and trillions of soldiers. You cannot win.
Sarah looked at the admiral with a smile that made
him uncomfortable. Admiral, you still don't understand what humanity is
really about. We don't fight because we think we can win.
We fight because we refuse to lose. Over the next
civil Ayer's reports continued to pour in from across the galaxy.
The human transmission had done more than just announced their survival.
It had reminded every press species that the Empire was
not unbeatable. Humanity had fought them to a standstill once before,
and now humans had returned to do it again. On
the planet's Eryane, the natives Arians stormed imperial government buildings
and declared their independence. On Corvani Prime, the descendants of
the species that had rebelled three centuries ago rose up again,
using weapons they had hidden for generations. In the outer
Rim territories, Pirate feats that had been hiding for decades
came out of hiding and began attacking Imperial supply convoys.
Captain Kim reported, I'm getting a transmission from the transport
ships that escaped from Earth. They are still alive and
they are asking for instructions. Sarah's heart leaped. The last
survivors of Earth were still out there, still carrying on
the human race in secret. Put them through the main
screen flickered insured the face of Captain Rodriguez, who had
commanded one of the evacuation transports. He looked older and entire,
but his eyes were bright with excitement. Sarah, is that
really you? We thought you were dead when you didn't
arrive at the Rondevous Point. We took a detO through time,
Sarah replied, eight hundred years into the future. But we're
back now and we're not done fighting. We've been in
hiding all these years, Rodriguez explained, small colons on Worldsday,
and by a dozen know about maybe fifty thousand people total,
scattered across a dozen syste We've been waiting for a
sign that it was time to come home. This is
that sign, meel, It's time for humanity too. We claim
its place in the galaxy. What are your orders? Sarah
thought carefully before answering. The Indomitable was dying and her
crew might not survive the next few days, but the
human race would survive and they would carry on the fight.
Contact every human colony you can find. Tell them what
we've done here. Tell them the galaxy is ready for
rebellion and humanity needs to lead the way. We know
how to fight the Empire better than any one else understood.
What about you and your crew? We're going to hold
the Empire's attention as long as we can. Every minute
we keep their forces focused on us is another minute
for the rebellions to spread. Sarah, you don't have to
die for this. You could escape, find a way to
reach one of our colonies. Sarah looked around her damaged
bridge at the crew members who had followed her through
impossible odds. These people had watched their worldburn, been drawn
across time, and face down an tiger Lie Empire without
ever giving up Meel. Someone has to remind the galaxy
what humans are capable of. Someone has to show them
that we're still the species have fights like madmen when
we're cornered. My crew and I are going to make
sure the Empire never forgets us again. I understand. Good
luck Captain, Good luck to you too. Take care of
our people. The transmission ended and Sarah returned to address
her crew. Everyone on the bridge was listening, waiting for
her orders. You all heard that conversation. She said. We
have a choice to make. We can try to escape
and hide like we've been doing for eight hundred years.
All we can stay here and showed the galaxy what
humanity really stands for. What are you thinking, Captain Torres asked,
I'm thinking that the Imperial fleet is regrouping for another attack.
They can't let us live after what we've done. They
come for us. We're going to give them a fight
they'll never forget. We're nearly out of weapons and life support.
Towards pointed out. Then we'll use what we have left
round their ships. We'll overload a reactor and take out
as many as we can. We'll fight until there's nothing
left to fight with. Lieutenant Pittell looked up from his
engineering station. Captain, I might have another option. What do
you mean? The quantum Drive is destroyed, but the power
corps is still intact. If we can rig it to
overload in a controlled way, we could create a massive
electromagnetic pulse. It would disable every Imperial ship in the system.
That would kill us too. Torres ed yes, Butel agreed.
But it would also give the rebel fleets time to organize,
time to coordinate their attacks across the galaxy. Sarah considered
this option. It would mean certain death for her and
her crew, but it might give the rebellion the advantage
it needed to succeed. How long would it take? She
USD two. I was to rig the overload system. But Captain,
once we start the processed as no turning back. Sayah
looked at each of her offices in turn. These people
had already given everything for humanity. They had left their families,
their homes, their entire lives behind to fight for the
species survival, and not going to order anyone to stay.
She said, Finally, we still have a few escape parts
that are functional. Any One who wants to leave can
go now, and no one will think less of them.
Nobody moved, nobody spoke. The entire bridge crew just looked
at her with determination in their eyes. All right, then,
Sarah said, with pride, I tell start working on that
of a load system him send one final transmission to
the galaxy. Tell them that humanity is back and were
not going anywhere ever again. As our crew worked to
prepare their final sacrifice, Sarah thought about Earth in the
billions of people who had died when the Empire invaded.
Those people had never gotten the chance to fight back,
but now a hundred years later, their children were finally
going to have their revenge. Captain Kim said, the transmission
is ready, send it on all frequencies, Kim activated the
communication system, and Sarah's voice went out to every corner
of the galaxy. This is Captain Sarah Chan of the
Human Worship, Indomitable, to every species that has suffered under
imperial rule, to every one who has been told that
resistance is hopeless, to all those who remember what freedom means.
Humanity is back. We are few, but we are unbroken.
We are outgun, but we are not defeated. The Empire
thought they had destroyed us, but they only made us stronger.
Today the legend of humanity begins again. To day we
remind the galaxy why it took an entire empire to
stop us the first time. And tomorrow the free peoples
of the galaxy will finish what we started. The transmission
ended and Sarah prepared to face her final battle. The
Imperial fleet was moving toward them again, and soon the
Indomitable would die. But across the galaxy, rebellions were spreading
like wildfire, and Humanity was leading the way home.