Galactic Forge

by Alex Guerra

  The council received us in a command center this time. Screens lined the area, showing troop movements and some live video feeds of different areas of the city of Nadune. Fires raged, producing huge columns of smoke throughout the assaulted cityscape.

  "Commander Kol, Captain Holland." Councilor Tul waved us in.

  Technicians worked attentively at their consoles, compiling data and receiving communications to continue building the picture.

  "Councilor," replied Kayton, snapping a quick salute to the man.

  "We just received word that you made it back—where's Seya Aranis?" asked the councilor.

  This left an uncomfortable pause between us.

  Kayton spoke up. "Out in the field still...we're not sure of her whereabouts or status at this time."

  "We just barely accomplished our mission," I said.

  The Codari councilor furrowed his brow and gave a grim nod. "We were aware something happened once we stopped receiving transmissions from the shuttle. I hoped it wasn’t so severe."

  "Princess Ellia is in critical condition and hasn't woken since the crash. Please tell me you have a contingency plan," I said.

  "While a significant part of the plan revolved around negotiating rights in exchange for the princess, we do have a significantly sized force to work with," Councilor Kol interjected.

  "Councilor Kol," Kayton greeted the elderly woman that was her grandmother.

  "Kayton—" She lovingly placed her hands on her granddaughter's shoulders, pulling her in close for a moment before turning to me. "Hello, Arthur. While I admit having the princess in such a critical condition will be a difficult obstacle to overcome, she is still alive at least. However, with the absence of Seya, it may be challenging to open negotiations. They will perceive us as terrorists immediately." She contemplated, placing a pensive finger on her chin.

  "So, we work with what we have in the meantime. Will you continue to attack the base with the troops at this time then?" I asked.

  "It would help us establish a more open foothold, and we can hopefully capture more high-ranking personnel as leverage. We could use everything we can get our hands on right now," said Councilor Kol.

  Had the Codari grown hair, I believed hers would be a few shades white by this point, and not just from age.

  "It sounds like a good plan, Councilor," I said. "I believe seizing the initiative now is better than waiting for the empire to regroup. You should push further into the base and capture it at once. The medical staff will continue working on the princess in the meantime, in the hope that she comes around."

  "We should start sending our terms as soon as possible, Jan," said Councilor Tul.

  "I'll work to see if I can find a way to track Seya for now, while you begin your preparations," I said with a nod, turning to leave.

  "Very well, Arthur. We will see you soon then," said Councilor Kol.

  "Be well," said Kayton, snapping another salute before following after me.

  *****

  Several hours passed by, my nerves finally calming down enough to stomach getting a small meal in. I worked with Dotty on our options we had to find Seya. I thought about sending Dagger out on a recon mission to see if we could possibly find a trace of my partner, but Dotty advised against it.

  The same reason Dagger hadn’t picked us up after the dropship crashed, was to limit the odds of anyone discovering the aircraft and its capabilities. Had an imperial strike ship flown circles around the crash site, there would be no way of hiding a stealth ship landing right next to the downed aircraft. I wasn't about to test Dagger's defenses while it was a sitting duck out in the open.

  Dotty could no longer track the signal from Seya as soon as we returned to base. The A.I. changed a few parameters on Seya's equipment as well as placing an unnoticeable subdermal tracker, allowing Dotty to trace the unique signature. Unfortunately, there was a limit to its range of only a few miles before the accuracy went down or losing the signal entirely.

  The only way to find her now would be by boosting the receiver aboard The Pillar. Another problem to deal with—besides, a large amount of energy needed—was the receiver was not some planetwide scan. It was directional with a beam fifteen miles in diameter and could only be shot continuously for up to three minutes, before recharging. It was going to be a slow process, even if we started immediately. Every hour that passed, decreased the odds of ever finding Seya, assuming she wasn't already dead. Without a power core, it was pointless.

  I shared this with Kayton as we discussed upcoming plans. She and her squad would be rejoining their platoon in the morning, heading out under the cover of darkness this evening. The council sent orders for the attack to continue on the imperial base. The reports showed an equal match between the two forces as they each vied for control. The conglomerate needed everyone available to assist on the frontlines, which included her.

  Unfortunately, not everyone would be joining in on the attack. According to Kayton, one of the troopers taken in, passed away. The rest were looking to make a full recovery, most of which would be able to return to duty in about a week or two, assuming everything went according to plan.

  I finally received good news for the first time today. Thankfully, Princess Ellia was showing signs of responsiveness. Although the medical team was keeping her heavily sedated while continuing to treat her severe injuries, it was a start. Unfortunately, she would not be very presentable on camera for the negotiations, but it would have to do.

  I was on the other side of the galaxy surrounded by advanced technology and there was still no overnight recovery option. Even I had stayed drifting in a tank on The Pillar for over a week after my injury. It looked like medical miracles would have to remain just that: miracles.

  The council summoned Kayton and me once more, updating us that negotiations were beginning. When we returned to the situation room, the council played us a recorded message from the empire.

  "Leaders of the Galactic Conglomeration, this is Duke Hako Agdala, speaking on behalf of Prince Ibram Aranis of the Darkkon Empire. Your actions today mark a significant uptick in terrorist attacks against not only the Darkkon Empire but the Vael Empire as a whole. The Prince has shown grave concern for his wife, Princess Ellia, who went missing this morning after boarding a supposed imperial dropship escort down to the planet of Vallus.

  “There is confirmation that the dropship never made it to port, along with reports of multiple attacks both planetside and in the nearby outpost outside the Vallus system. We will not consider any negotiations you make without first showing the wellbeing of the princess in the next message you send. Only then can negotiations begin.

  “Also, our forces recently brought to our attention that we have someone of great importance to the conglomerate. One, Seya Aranis, ‘The Traitor Princess’," said the Duke Admiral.

  The video switched scenes to show an injured Darkkon woman during an operation in a medical suite. As the camera drew closer, Seya’s face was unmistakable.

  "Show the wellbeing of Princess Ellia and cease your attack on the imperial base on Nadune within the next five hours or forfeit all hope of having any of your demands heard. You have one Vallus rotation to comply with all demands from the time you receive this message, or else consider the next operation this traitor gets…to be an autopsy," he finished, the camera zooming further in on Seya's sedated face.

  I sat there astonished. My eyes couldn’t leave the screen.

  "How long ago did we receive this message," asked Kayton.

  "Twenty-seven minutes ago," answered Councilor Tul.

  "One rotation, that gives us just about twenty-seven hours at this point—we're getting footage together of the princess to send out soon, right?" Kayton asked the councilor.

  "It’s being done as we speak," said Councilor Tul.

  "What about the orders to cease our attack on the base?" Kayton asked.

  "We have yet to issue any new orders to our troops regarding that at this time," said Councilor Ko
l.

  "And are you going to stop our forces?" Kayton asked, giving the councilor a hard, questioning look.

  "We still have over four hours until we need to actually comply. Best to gain as much ground in that time before we need to stop," Jan Kol reasoned.

  "Hey—where is that?" I asked, pointing to the screen with Seya on it.

  "I doubt it would be from inside the base since it wouldn’t be considered safe enough at this time. If I had to guess, they probably took her up to a ship. It's only been a few hours since you returned to base, so the ship would most likely still be in the Vallus system," said Onna Tul, rubbing his chin.

  My mind raced

  "Do we know where the majority of imperial ships would be right now?" I asked.

  "Skip drones have been relaying information that significant imperial fleet movement is in a certain area today. We have the conglomerate fleet on standby should we need to move them in to assist us," said one of the councilors.

  "Dotty, how much power do you need to boost the receiver to track Seya's signature?" I asked the A.I.

  "We need a power core with at least twenty-five percent charge to properly power the receiver. There is a cooldown time of thirty-seven minutes between each three-minute scan," explained Dotty, through my suits speakers so everyone could hear.

  "Twenty-five percent…” I muttered. The amount was still more than we had at this time. In essence, The Pillar was practically running on fumes, only allowing for a little more than the basic necessities. There was not enough power to accomplish the task.

  "You're A.I. can track down Seya?" Councilor Kol asked.

  "That's what we have been planning around anyway, yes," I admitted.

  "The A.I. mentioned a power core—we have been using strange relics to power large portions of the base, but I believe we may be able to help you," Councilor Kol said.

  My jaw practically hit the floor.

  "We need to reroute power away from non-essential areas, using alternative methods for now, but it appears you need a significant amount of power to accomplish your task. Please, come with us," she said, nodding to the other councilors.

  Kayton walked by me, closing my mouth and giving me a pat on the back.

  Dotty...

  I'm sorry, Arthur. I did not detect any power cores since we came to the planet or else I would have informed you immediately.

  "What's the matter with you? Come on." Kayton said, pulling me by the arm as we followed the council out of the room.

  *****

  The council took us down into a deep recess of the huge, hidden base. Nearly fifteen minutes later, we arrived at a maintenance level. Cables and gas lines snaked through its innards, like the intestines of a great machine. Two specialists led the group through the halls until we arrived at our destination.

  Council members gathered around secured panels, placing their hands at key points like Commander Nura and the officers did on Tudok. Dense internal locks opened with a dull thump, thump, thump—the panels receding into the wall itself. A familiar, silver glow came from within the interior wall, brighter than anything else prior.

  What lay before the group was not a single, damaged power core, but three fully intact cores with various levels of charge.

  Dotty was not able to detect even this amount of power within the well-hidden area due to the kind of materials they were using to secure it, just like the core back on Tudok.

  I stared in awe.

  "Those are…Dotty, analyze," I managed to say, my mouth suddenly dry.

  "Power cores are showing stable levels, with no damage nor rapid decay noted. Capacities are at twelve, fifty-three, and eighty-six percent," said the A.I.

  "This one should be enough to help you find Seya." Councilor Kol pointed at the one in the middle, containing just over half of its total capacity.

  "Wait," I said, the group turning to look back at me. "If I use the larger power core, it can help us tremendously in not only finding Seya but also with the recovery mission."

  The group didn’t know about the full capabilities of The Pillar. Hell, neither did I, but my main objective for most of the past month had been solely to find these cores. This was the most significant find I’ve had so far, and while it would only bring the total amount of power to 162 of the 412 total power I needed to get home—assuming I had access to all three of them at some point—I could complete the agreement between Dotty and me sooner. I needed to collect and store as much of it as possible, to ever have a chance of seeing Earth again. While the conglomerate knew extensive details about other conglomerate bases and outposts, it seemed as if some things were still well guarded. I believe Commander Nura would tell me about these cores if he knew about them.

  Snapping me out of my fantasy, one of the specialists spoke up, "It would put a large strain on the base itself, initially. We could be pushing the limits, even if we were to run only the essentials. That’s including the help of our backup systems."

  "What sort of higher capabilities would your ship be able to offer?" asked Onna Tul.

  "Should we use the core with the most charge,” explained Dotty, “I would to access the ship's combat capabilities. The retrieval of Seya will not go unnoticed. Once she is secured aboard The Pillar, we will most likely run into heavy resistance during our escape."

  I watched as the group thought it over.

  "I would also offer training upgrades to Arthur here as well, increasing the likelihood of the mission's success," the A.I. added.

  "We don’t have time for him to begin a new training regimen. This mission needs to be conducted in a few hours for us to proceed," said Councilor Kol.

  "You misunderstand, I can upload the advanced training directly into Arthur's mind. He can have years of training and combat knowledge downloaded directly in a matter of minutes," Dotty explained.

  I blinked hard a few times, trying to wrap my head around what I just heard.

  "That's—amazing," said Onna Tul. Surprised looks came from the group.

  "Damn, Art! You've been holding out on us?" asked Kayton.

  I really need to start asking about cores up front, I thought, shaking my head.

  "I had a feeling that the ship's combat options would be a part of obtaining a power core, but believe me when I say, I had no idea about the training injection or whatever it is Dotty is talking about," I admitted. "Dotty, you say this would improve the chances of this mission succeeding if I got this upgrade?"

  "Yes. As of right now, you have about the same combat prowess of a veteran conglomerate trooper based on your most recent combat logs. With the upgrade, you would be the equivalent of an elite special forces member," it explained.

  "Wow, okay…would you be able to give Kayton the upgrade as well?" I asked.

  "Unfortunately, there is only enough of the serum to upgrade a single crew member once, as I am unable to replicate the serum at this time—similar to how I could only enhance your physical attributes upon boarding The Pillar. There appears to be only enough for one dose of each, Arthur," said Dotty.

  I shrugged at Kayton and the group. "Well, one is better than none, right?"

  "As if I need those upgrades to be effective," Kayton scoffed.

  "It seems straightforward," I said. "Dotty thinks that the added abilities to the ship and me would help us recover Seya and fight the enemy, during which you can continue assaulting the base. The empire will lose any real leverage on us at this point."

  The council members spoke amongst themselves in low whispers, debating their options.

  "We have a little over four hours until we need to cease the assault on the base and meet the empire's demands, do you think you are able to accomplish all of this within such a short period of time?" asked Councilor Kol

  "Assuming we get Seya's location within the first two or three attempts, then yes,” confirmed Dotty. “Arthur can receive his combat enhancement and The Pillar would have access to its higher functions. There is a high probability of meeting
that expectation," confirmed Dotty.

  "I would need a team though," I added, looking at Kayton.

  "I have just the right people for the job," said Kayton to the rest of us.

  "Very well," replied Councilor Kol. "How long before you can get that power core switched out and in their hands?" she asked the technician, gesturing to us.

  The technician thought about it for a moment. "Most likely within half an hour or so, to properly switch over the base into reserve mode," he said.

  "We will send an announcement to the base to prepare for the change. Our priorities at this point, are to keep the medical wing and communications opened, adding what we can, only after those priorities are met," said one of the short councilors.

  "Alright then, I'll begin preparations immediately," I agreed. "Kayton, if you want to get your crew ready, we can leave as soon as we get the power core aboard Dagger and onto The Pillar."

  "You got it," she beamed.

  "Very well, then. You may begin the switch immediately," said Jan Kol to the specialist. "Arthur, I shouldn’t have to remind you that this core is on loan, please don't blow yourself up while you have it," she warned.

  "That would be entirely up to Dotty, Councilor," I shrugged. It’s not as if I knew how to fly The Pillar or anything.

  "You have my word, Councilor, that the power core will be safe in our possession for the duration of the mission," assured Dotty.

  While eighty-six percent power was a significant boost to the abysmal amount The Pillar currently possessed, it was still a relative drop in the bucket I needed to get home. The extra power would be useful, should we need to engage the enemy from the large ship. Adding that to the nine percent core Commander Nura gave me, and the two percent left in the ship’s original core, it would bring the total to nearly a single full core, at ninety-seven percent. It was definitely a start.