Page 31 of Uncovered By the Alien Commander
As I marvel at the spectacle, a flurry of colorful drones weave with grace through the air, capturing my attention. Each one emits a bright aura, their vibrant hues blending withthe ambient green light to create a kaleidoscope of colors. I watch with awe as the drones coordinate their movements with remarkable precision, forming intricate patterns and symbols in the air.
A collective gasp escapes our lips as the drones converge, their movements synchronized in perfect harmony. They form a message in the universal language of galactic basic: “Welcome Mutalisk’s Hammer.” The words hang suspended in the air, a dazzling and impressive display.
“So pretty!” Quad exclaims, clapping his hands.
“Don’t let the prettiness fool you. Those little bastards act as biometric image capturers and defense drones.” However, Hyanxa’s cynical remark brings a sobering reality to the enchanting scene.
Can I hide amongst these lights?
Despite the warning, I still marvel as the starships come and go from the bustling Omega Flux Station outside the green domes. Like graceful giants navigating through a cosmic dance. Each one boasts its own unique design and configuration, adorned with gleaming hulls and intricate patterns that reflect the diversity of civilizations across the galaxy. Some ships are sleek and streamlined, while others are bulkier and more imposing.
“Look, that’s an Argorian Starcruiser!” Kaanus shouts with excitement, pointing towards a sleek vessel adorned with sharp angles bristling with cannons. “I nearly bought one until I found out the cargo hold is voiding tiny,” he chuckles.
“Who is the captain of this vessel?” A monotone voice emits from one of the nearby drones, startling us all.
“Uh... That would be me,” Kaanus responds with uncertainty, twisting to find the source of the voice. “Captain Kaanus of the Mutalisk’s Hammer, to be exact,” he adds, performing a deepbow with a flourish of his long coat, playing the role of the gracious captain now.
“Please follow the drone.” The voice, while monotone, has enough variance to convince me it’s not artificial intelligence. “Bring any trade goods for inspection.”
Kaanus and Hyanxa exchange uneasy glances, doubt evident on their faces. “Void this. Let’s turn back,” Hyanxa suggests, her voice laced with concern.
“No, my love,” Kaanus counters, shaking his spikey head. “I can handle this, trust me,” he says with confidence that surprises me. How many times have we had our trade goods inspected and I’ve been oblivious to the danger? As my hands tremble, now I almost regret knowing the truth.
Would imprisonment on Omega Flux Station be preferable to life aboard the Mutalisk’s Hammer?
With a sense of foreboding, I watch as a drone hovers before us, its entire outer casing glows with an iridescence now dimmed. “Quad, bring the cargo,” Kaanus commands, pointing towards the hover platform. “And for void’s sake, let me do the talking,” he adds, looking at the entire crew. “That goes for all of you.”
In an eerie silence laden with nervous tension, we follow the drone, wondering if someone will soon discover our scoomer. Only the enthralling spectacle of the splendors surrounding me helps soothe my racing mind and trembling hands. The white floor is paved in purest stone and extends as far as the eye can see on either side. Coupled with the expanse of space overhead, I have the surreal feeling that I’m standing on the rings of a planet exposed to the cosmos.
The colorful drones overhead continue to dart around, while other drones on the ground move in synchronized patterns, emitting short green beams to clean the area. I gasp as a crystal white structure looms before us, refactoring and reflecting thecountless lights of the iridescent drones, bathing the expanse with impossible colors that dance and sparkle.
It’s too bright here for me.
Drawing closer, the crystal white structure is more like a formidable wall or protective barrier that extends the entire circumference of the ring. Its sheer size is staggering, stretching beyond the limits of my sight as if constructed by some cosmic deity. A sense of foreboding wells in me as I take it in. I wonder what beings would surround themselves with such purity. Those with noble intentions or a disguise for the darkest of hearts?
Our group comes to a halt before the colossal crystal wall, its flawless surface unmarred by any imperfection or feature. “Wall must have entrance? No?” Mod puzzles with arm limbs under his mouth. As if in answer, a large square section slides open with such sudden movement. I recoil behind Quad in surprise.
The guide drone hovers into the towering crystal expanse. “Please follow.” It emits, with an impatient tone. Stepping inside is more gleaming white and crystal. The brightness is blinding as beams of light sting the eyes, forcing me to avert my gaze. “Wait here for inspection,” the voice intones. And as my sight clears, I notice dozens of floating drones surround us. These fill me with dread, different from the colorful ones, sleek discs shapes encased in hard white arcweave and bristling with weapons of an unknown type.
Triandale approaches a drone with languid motion, his head curling to inspect it. “Pulsar technology, we must tread carefully,” he explains with his unique slowness.
“Hands off the defense unit, please,” the same male voice from the drone demands, except it’s spoken from an actual flesh-and-blood being, or at least appears to be. On the opposite side of the crystal expanse, an opening materializes, revealing the speaker, their identity concealed by the Iridescent armored suit completewith sweeping helmet, and a strange rifle holstered on his leg plate.
Entering, flanked by more of these ‘defense units,’ the inspector examines the holographic projection from his wrist console. “Let’s see, Mutalisk’s Hammer, is it?” he asks, his tone dripping with boredom.
Job bristles shaking his narrow head, “You know this, written in gaudy lights. Yes?” he responds, his eager, quick tone at odds with our inspector.
The inspector exhales in frustration. “If I had a credit for each time someone said that, I could buy this station. The drones operate on their own protocol. I have my own records to maintain,” he retorts, lifting his head towards Job, but only the bored contempt in his voice gives a clue to his thoughts. “Now, this shouldn’t take long, with such a small cargo, thankfully.”
Kaanus stiffens at his words. “Small cargo? This is almost the full hold of an Argorian class C transport ship second generation!” he interjects, gesturing towards the loaded hover platform that Quad pushes with ease.
“Uh Huh... One hover platform, not even at full capacity,” the inspector shakes his head. “How were you not sent to the residential tier with this meager haul?” The question seems rhetorical so no one answers.
His hands navigate his wrist console projection with ease, as small drones come to life, buzzing around, scanning the crates and barrels in eerie green lights. “Anything to declare? Special exemptions? All goods must comply with the Omega Flux Syndicate Council. Please take a moment to consult the prohibited lists,” he drawls.
Our wrist console vibrates with a notification. As the drones continue to scan our goods, Hyanxa exchanges a worried look with Kaanus, who appears more annoyed than fearful. My heart pounds in my chest, wondering if this is it, the moment we getarrested for illegal smuggling. I check the prohibited list on my console with the vain hope scoomer might not be there. But the word ‘scoomer’ buried within the enormous catalogue confirms my fears.
They know our sins and we can’t escape.