STAR ANTS
Episode 1
FIRST CONTACT
A small Lai'So destroyer diligently patrolled the perimeter of their cherished nebula. Their mission was to protect the new nation which was just born inside. All inhabitants of planet Lai'So feared outsiders greatly, especially after an incident a century before involving the near extermination of their race. Now, on the bridge of this small vessel, the captain was required to make a choice. On long range sensors, an alien vessel had been detected. Its technology appeared more advanced than anything they had ever seen, except for one thing- the Lai'So invented a new gadget known as a 'cloaking device', which hid their warships from sensors and view screens. As the vessel neared their position, the captain, after running simulation after simulation in her mind, acted. The cloak dropped. "Hail them." a crewman complied. "This is the Lai'So Republic. You are approaching our space. Turn back immediately or you will be destroyed."
They received an immediate reply- "This is the Noct Imperium. We wish you no harm. Our mission is to explore, not conquer. Stand down your weapons."
An outside deception, no doubt. "Give no response. Raise shields and prepare to fire on my command."
"Fire."
"The Noct vessel has entered hyperspace," declared the crewman dryly.
"Do not pursue. Recloak the ship and finish this patrol shift."
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Meanwhile, on the Noct vessel......
"Enter the nebula. Study as she goes." The captain was determined to offer her hand again to this seemingly hostile power. Even if it meant violating their space and risking destruction. The ship rocked violently as it entered the nebula. "Deflectors at maximum." It may have saved the ship, but it made the ride much bumpier. Several hours later, the 'ride' was complete- the Noct had crossed over into the unknown. They boldly approached a planet which appeared to be inhabited. "Perhaps there are other races living in the nebula than the Lai'So." The captain thought aloud as the planet was hailed.
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"This is central command of Nj'Naenon colony Alpha Nejara. You are trespassing in our space. You will be destroyed."
The captain repeated her response, and again got no response. "Where's the nearest Lai'So warship?" She asked the navigator.
"I'm detecting a few freighters within a few light years, but no Lai'So military vessels." The Noct had no knowledge of cloaking technology, as the Lai'So destroyer had decloaked within the unscannable nebula.
"Hail them again." As soon as she finished speaking, a Lai'So battleship suddenly decloaked directly behind them, and immediately fired photonic charges at the unsuspecting ship.
"Return fire and get us out of here." The ship was tossed back and forth with ever charge which slammed into their vessel. It was obvious their weapons and shields were not going to protect them for long. The vessel then proceeded toward the nebula, with an armada of angry Lai'So vessels closing in behind them. They entered the nebula with a crash, and sent distress calls on all frequencies. The nebula seemed worse the second time. The shear weight of the nebula and all the plasmic bursts which lashed at the shields combined with the Lai'So weapons fire caused the shields to collapse. The hull could not handle the stress, and buckled. "All hands, abandon sh...." kabang. The Noct vessel was no more.
In an angry frenzy, the Lai'So fleet emerged from the nebula, prepared to destroy these insolent, ignorant fools. "Find the nearest satellite colony and set a course, maximum speed," declared the admiral, "exterminate all life on the surface."
TO BE CONTINUED
Edited by AntsDakota, February 16 2020 - 6:16 AM.