Author's Note:
I hope you enjoy this chapter, because starting next Monday I'll be on a week-long school trip for an end-of-year project, followed by some final exams, so I won't be able to post anything new for two or three weeks.
Maybe I could publish CODEX - USKY content, which is easier to write and which I publish from smartphones.
But I don't make any promises.
XXX
Story Arc: First Contact with a Rogue Trader Militant
Episode 2: The world inside the alien spaceship
Chapter 5: Five Star-Mecha
Plot: Kallen, piloting the Guren-Type Burnstar, takes the SSV Tokyo into the Moonbreaker's containment bay. Afterwards, other Star-Mecha arrive to take the remaining ships. Eventually, the humans disembark from their ships and discover some things about the USKY.
XXX
POV Narrator
When the SSV Tokyo passed through the portal, it found itself inside one of the Moonbreaker's hangars.
This was no ordinary hangar, but a containment structure specifically designed to isolate and house unknown Starships.
The room looked like the inside of a colossal white and gray metal box: a perfect cube three kilometers on a side that gave the impression of a sterilized hospital room.
The only thing that looked authentic was the metal ring that created the portals, although that model, being fragile, was equipped with a simple and effective self-destruct program.
The hangar was hermetically sealed: there was no air inside and the walls blocked any foreign signals to the outside.
Only the Voidwalker fleet's communications systems were allowed to transmit beyond the walls, a privilege that could be instantly revoked if the aliens attempted to analyze or steal any of their technology.
Gravity had been completely eliminated. However, among the numerous defense protocols, it was designed to be reactivated and increased up to fifty times Earth's gravity with the simple press of a button.
The SSV Tokyo was positioned exactly in the center of the metal box, while the Star-Mecha Guren Type Burnstar moved away from the human Starship, distancing itself.
XXX
In the cockpit of the Guren Burnstar, Kallen K. Scarlet holds the SSV Tokyo at gunpoint, ready to tear it apart if they make any foolish moves.
"This is Squadron Commander Kallen K. Scarlet, I have brought the alien Starship into the containment bay," Kallen communicates with the seriousness typical of an elite pilot.
It is a formal protocol report, required to confirm the security and verify that the unit has not been compromised during transit.
The station's main AI, PANDORA, monitors every inch of the Moonbreaker; inside the containment bay, its surveillance is total.
Biometric sensors integrated into Kallen's suit and cabin systems transmit real-time vital signs and synaptic flux, confirming that the pilot is physically and mentally stable.
The scanning process takes less than a minute, and once Kallen is confirmed as clean and fit, the image of the Lady High Scientist of Mechanicus appears on one of the Guren Burnstar's screens.
"For the Crown and for Knowledge!" Kallen exclaims on pure instinct. Her posture stiffens as she pronounces the Mechanicus motto, a tenet engraved in the memory of every member of the division.
The Scientific Division operates along two fundamental lines: the first is the protection and development of the Royal Family's projects, the beating heart of USKY. The second is the pursuit of omniscience, the goal of mapping and mastering every field discovered by the scientists and witches of USKY.
These pillars were established by the founders, Bruce Bel Bahamut Belmont and Amelia Blight: the former driven by a thirst for pure knowledge bordering on obsession, the latter oriented towards progress and improving the lives of citizens and the world, or rather, of the Segmentum Obscurus, as her ambitions have grown greater over the centuries.
"Calm down, Kallen, there's no need to be so enthusiastic, I'm just passing on your next orders," Amelia said. Her tone was friendly, almost maternal, a deliberate attempt to break the young pilot's rigidity.
Unfortunately, this is a very slow process, especially when Kallen isn't in elite pilot mode.
XXX
Kallen's devotion to Amelia Blight wasn't accidental, but stemmed from her childhood. As a child, Kallen spent her days among model robots and toy vehicles.
Growing up, his passion had shifted to professional competitions: he obsessively followed the Mecha Races and Mecha Battles, where pilots of every USKY race challenged each other aboard colossal machines.
During that time, Amelia Blight often participated in those events to defend her title as the best USKY Kallen driver, watching her win every time, she had become her number one fan.
Kallen's talent emerged early. At ten years old, she joined the Mecha Club at the Middle School, and was already considered a prodigy on her home planet. The final confirmation came at fifteen, during the Classification Exam: she earned the Rank-SS qualification for warplane piloting.
With that result, Kallen was summoned to Ysatnaf, to the old royal palace of Tokodra. She expected to find herself before the King or a Princess, but instead she found Amelia Blight, in her capacity as lieutenant of the Royal Family, greeting her.
It was Amelia who decided her future, sending her to the prestigious Mechanatrix Academy.
During her years of specialization, Amelia personally gave her several private lessons and useful advice that helped her a lot.
There was a huge difference between being the best junior pilot on a planet between the ages of 10 and 15 and being the best among the future elite pilots, selected from 500 different planets.
Once she graduated, Beatrix Blight, Amelia's daughter and CEO of Blight Galaxy Industrials, became her official sponsor in the Mecha Race and Battle circuits.
This opportunity allowed Kallen to make a name for herself in the sports world, becoming one of the most recognizable faces of her generation.
Years later, after the second Voidwalker expedition had concluded, and they were returning to Ysatnaf to drop off their collected goods and replenish their supplies, Amelia took advantage of the moment to ask Kallen to join the third expedition.
Kallen accepted instantly, without the slightest hesitation.
The process was easier than expected because, by that time, Kallen had already given up competitive sports to enlist in the Collegia Titanica and participate in the conflict known as the Hundred Day War.
It was the first conflict that the USKY faced under the leadership of the Second King and it was a success, especially for the Collegia Titanica who committed several massacres among the Invaders from the South.
XXX
"Kallen, we'll be opening portals very soon. Rai, Nonette, Gino, and Anya will be entering with their Star Mechs, pushing the Systems Alliance's... Frigates. You must keep an eye on both our crew members and the humans; if anyone tries to start a conflict, stop them, but do not cause harm," Amelia said. As she said it, she lingered on the word "Frigate," as if she found it strange to call such small Starships that.
Intelligent life forms in this Galaxy love to build small, practically the opposite of USKY, which loves to invent ever larger and more complex Macro-Engineering projects.
"I'll do my best, Ma'am!" Kallen replied, managing to calm down thanks to the orders she'd received.
"I know you will, you've always been a good girl, both in and out of Mecha," Amelia said, wanting to demonstrate her trust in Kallen and show a motherly side.
The red-haired girl held back her blush at the praise she received from her idol.
"For Union and Progress." The Mechanicus's battle cry was the only sensible words Kallen could utter.
The meaning of these words is quite simple to understand: to unite all races and species into a single cohesive unit, where all can collaborate and progress together towards a better future.
Such a motto was born from the ideals of Amelia, famous for her kindness, diplomatic nature and desire to improve the world... well, nowadays the Sectorum Obscurus.
"For Union and Progress," Amelia replied, a small smile on her lips, before closing communications with the Guren Burnstar.
'Lord Trader is not only a great man, but also a lucky man to have Lady Amelia as his life partner,' thought Kallen, being also devoted to the former King and the Five Princesses born to the Lady High Scientist of Mechanicus.
XXX
In the minutes that follow, the silence of the containment bay is shattered by the opening of a portal. One of the human Starships emerges from the gap, propelled with pinpoint precision by a Star-Mecha.
As a safety protocol, the next portal is activated only after the pilot has confirmed via radio that the payload has been placed and reached his station; only then is the next jump authorized.
This process is repeated rhythmically for each unit. In about ten minutes, the tactical deployment is complete.
On one side of the hangar, the five Systems Alliance Starships are lined up neatly, motionless like vehicles parked on the side of a road. Across the aisle, on the metal sidewalk opposite, the five USKY Star-Mechas stand in perfect row.
The pilots keep their war machines on guard, watching the alien ships, which, to their eyes, appear small and primitive.
The first Star Mech of the deployment is Kallen's Guren Type Burnstar. It is a customized Seventh Generation prototype, a war machine designed with a single purpose: to sink enemy Starships through the use of extreme heat attacks.
The Mecha towers over the hangar at 40 meters tall and weighs 70 tons. Its design is optimized for close-quarters combat and high-intensity heat projection, making it the most lethal unit in the group for taking down armored targets.
The second Star Mecha is the Tristan Type Blackflash. Its armor is primarily white, with elegant gold and blue accents. This is also a customized Seventh Generation prototype, featuring the ability to transform into a highly efficient vehicle mode.
This configuration makes it extremely maneuverable and fast, capable of operating seamlessly in the vacuum of space, within the planetary atmosphere, or even in underwater environments.
Standing 30 meters tall and weighing 35 tons, its tactical role is hunting highly mobile single targets and carrying out surgical strikes using hit-and-run tactics.
The third Star Mech is the Mordred Type Fortress, featuring a pale pink color scheme with gold and black accents. This model is also a customized Seventh Generation prototype, designed with heavy, reinforced armor and devastating firepower.
It's a mobile heavy artillery unit: its shots are lethal, designed to annihilate the target instantly. Standing 60 meters tall and weighing 100 tons, the Mordred towers above the other Mecha, establishing itself as the most massive and heavily armored piece in the field.
The fourth Star Mecha is the Percival Nova T-204, a Sixth Generation model intended for elite pilots and semi-customized to suit its operator's specific style. The Percival Nova stands 45 meters tall and weighs 70 tons.
Its livery is dominated by lavender, with black and gold details and a purple horn protruding from its head. It is designed for close-range combat using vibro-blade claws and for medium-range combat using integrated laser systems. Its design optimizes movement capabilities and rapid mobility, but sacrifices some of the strength of its defensive barrier.
The latest Star Mecha belongs to Rei, the rookie of Q-1 Squadron: the Gekka Neos C-001. It's a prototype built a few months ago, born as an attempt to create a mass-produced Seventh Generation unit for pilots of Rank A or lower.
Standing 50 metres tall and weighing 90 tonnes, it features a single yellow cyclopean sensor and is coloured mainly in aquamarine and black.
It has medium-level armor and a humanoid build, capable of using weapons for both ranged and close combat. In short, a jack of all trades but master of none, its goal is to gather data to create a product that can be operated by any normal pilot.
This is unlike the first three Star-Mecha of the squadron, which are created to reach the pinnacle of experimental technology and pilot capability of Rank-SS or higher.
Aesthetically, it is characterised by a single yellow cyclopean sensor and a teal and black livery.
Its structure is humanoid with medium-level armor, designed to be versatile in both ranged and close-quarters combat.
Essentially, it's a jack-of-all-trades that doesn't excel in any specific discipline; its primary purpose is to gather field data to develop a product that can be operated by standard pilots.
This sets it apart from the squadron's earlier Star-Mecha, which are designed to push experimental technology and the capabilities of pilots of Rank-SS or higher to the limit.
Each Star-Mecha maintains guard duty on one of the human ships: the Guren Burnstar guards the cruiser, while the other four man the frigates.
For the pilots, it's a moment of boredom; it feels like supervising small fish in a tank while they're being analyzed by experts.
Suddenly, several bulkheads open from the hangar ceiling, revealing about a hundred drones, divided into two distinct types.
Fifty of them resemble metallic jellyfish, with a glass dome that acts as a global optical sensor; the other fifty are squid-like, equipped with a transparent tank in place of a head and a mechanical terminal similar to a fuel pump.
The drones float in the void until they surround the Starships: each human ship is assigned to a group of ten jellyfish and ten squid.
The jellyfish begin a deep structural analysis. They periodically attach themselves to the ships' hulls, extending thin, filament-like tentacles that seem to sink and disappear inside the Starships' armor.
At the same time, the squid begin spraying a grayish substance onto the surfaces of the ships.
To the untrained eye, it might look like a painting operation, but the compound is actually a variant of liquid metal with specific properties.
Once the operation is complete, the drones detach and leave the containment area through a secondary pipeline, leaving the human ships modified by the gray matter.
As soon as the drones leave the area, the hangar floor reacts. Numerous panels open, revealing a series of mechanical tiles with slightly curved surfaces.
These components lift off autonomously, moving with pinpoint precision through the void. They begin to arrange themselves around the human Starships, nestling in space to form containment rings. A thin ring, half a meter thick, is established around each ship at regular intervals of ten meters.
Each ring is made up of several metal plates held together by a circle of pulsating energy.
The system appears to be based on an extremely advanced form of electromagnetic manipulation, or perhaps an even more exotic technology capable of locking ships in an invisible but absolute grip.
Once the safety measures are complete, several valves open on three walls, releasing enormous jets of liquid metal.
The substance bubbles inside the cube like mercury in a clear container, quickly filling the space halfway.
Despite the apparent threat of flooding, the Star-Mecha pilots remain motionless, making no attempt to take the slightest evasive action.
The real manipulation begins when the fluid stops rising. Under PANDORA's control, the liquid metal begins to shape itself with architectural precision: it solidifies into a perfectly flat floor, creating a V-shaped landing zone for the five Star Mechs and erecting man-sized defensive barriers around their stations.
Beneath the Systems Alliance ships, massive mechanical arms emerge from the metallic mud and latch onto containment rings, ensuring absolute stability for the suspended structures.
At the same time, the metal shapes broad flights of stairs that extend from the new bridges to the hatches of the human ships, connecting them directly to the artificial ground.
A panel in the ceiling slides silently, feeding breathable air into the hangar; a system that, in an emergency, can be instantly drained. Finally, an armored bulkhead lifts up, allowing five hundred soldiers to enter in perfect formation.
They march in impeccable ranks, protected by shiny black armor with silver inserts and purple visors.
Within the ranks, the five hundred soldiers maintain iron discipline, but the variety of their forms reveals the different races of USKY that make up the army.
Each group adapts the standard equipment to its own biological needs, making each unit unique despite the common uniform.
Tall races visually dominate the formation. The Eliksni are the most imposing: standing three meters tall, they are distinguished by their four arms and red cloaks that stand out over black armor, with helmets modified to accommodate their physiology.
Next to them, the Thep-Khufan display slender, three-meter-tall silhouettes; their armor is distinctive, wrapped in certain areas with bandages that emphasize their slender, sinuous profile.
Transylians take up considerable space, ranging in height from 250 to 300 centimeters. Their distinguishing feature is the biomechanical Tesla coils protruding from their backs; female models are slightly smaller, as are their coils.
Not far away, the Loboans impose their presence with their massive build and unmistakable canine head. Their elongated muzzles are protected by helmet plates, and they stand between 210 and 240 centimeters tall.
Finally, the Au-Ra present the most evident dimorphism: males reach 210 centimetres, while females stop at 150.
Both are easily identifiable by the tails sprouting from their armor and the horns emerging from their helmets, the latter covered in a thin protective layer of smart metal.
The last of the tall races are the Ysatnafians of the moon Tanabata, known as the Y-Tabanians. They have a humanoid build with no obvious exotic features, except for an average height of 215 centimeters and a white crescent-shaped insignia painted on the shoulder of their armor.
Medium-sized races such as Ysatnafians, Gundalians, Neathians, Viera, and Synthetics share a similar humanoid build and heights, making them difficult to distinguish at first glance.
Ysatnafians wear subtle glyphs engraved on their armor, strategically placed above the heart for protective and religious purposes; centuries of leadership under a living messiah have ingrained these habits even among the most skeptical.
The slightly more robust Gundalians wear helmets fashioned from smartmetal to avoid putting pressure on the bony protrusions of their heads.
In contrast, the Neathians maintain absolute aesthetic rigor, customizing their equipment very little, except for a small, teardrop-shaped gem set in their armor by cultural tradition.
Synthetics, who operate through android bodies, are distinguished by absolute silence and breathlessness, moving with a coordination too perfect to be biological.
The Viera instead feature helmets with specific ear sockets, covered in smart metal.
Among the ranks are also individuals of other races that have migrated to USKY, recognizable by the holes in their armor intended for tails or ears of various shapes; some even display technological halos or wings of light floating above their backs.
Almost invisible unless you look down, the Lalafell occupy the front line with their ninety centimeters of height.
Finally, the Klyntar remain entirely hidden: they are fused within their hosts and will not manifest until absolutely necessary.
Despite the marked physical differences between the races, the entire battalion is unified by the same colors and singular armament.
All the soldiers wield melee weapons that appear to have been forged by a futuristic blacksmith: mechanical or high-tech versions of swords, spears, axes, scepters, staves, halberds, and daggers. Some wield heavy shields, but there's no sign of firearms.
The blades and spikes glow with a cold light, designed exclusively for close combat to sever or shatter bone, giving the five hundred soldiers the appearance of a medieval army transported to an age of interstellar travel.
XXX
Inside the SSV Tokyo, Captain Anderson had to immediately clarify the gravity of the situation to the entire crew and the commanders of the other four ships.
He knew for certain that their every communication was being intercepted by the Moonbreaker's systems, so he spoke with extreme firmness: no one must attempt rash actions or acts of suicidal heroism.
The message was unmistakable: they are in the belly of the beast, surrounded by overwhelming technology and military might.
Any false move could lead to the annihilation of nearly everyone present; the survivors would have a hard time, and humanity would be classified as a hostile alien race.
After receiving a brief message from Admiral Ignis, the five crews gathered in their respective hangars.
Once all the men were counted and lined up, the Systems Alliance ships' doors swung open in unison.
The hiss of air settling between the interior of the ships and the Moonbreaker's hangar marked the beginning of the first face-to-face meeting between USKY and the Systems Alliance.
"Time to make history," said Captain Anderson, being the first human to step out of his ship and onto a step of liquid metal, even though he has no idea what it is.
Anderson's gaze, like that of many others, is captivated by the presence of five enormous mecha that are roughly half the length of Systems Alliance frigates.
'Ships 100 kilometers long, portals, space elves, intergalactic travel, hangars like hospital rooms, and now mechs that look like they're straight out of my childhood cartoons. What else is going to happen?' thought Captain Anderson, starting to feel too old to handle all this.
'Let's hope everything goes as well as possible,' thought Aiden Shepard, walking beside Captain Anderson; he is, after all, his XO, for better or worse.
The Butcher of Torfan tries to keep a cool head; thanks to it, he's survived the streets of Chicago, N-School, and the battlefield of Torfan, but the thought of being literally crushed by a giant mech... keeps him on edge.
"This place is fascinating, I wonder how they built these stairs, perfectly suited to the height and size of the SSV hangar," Isaac asked, fascinated by the entire containment hangar and the stairs he steps on.
"These relays are so similar and yet so different from the Mass Relays, and these mecha shatter everything we know about robotics," Isaac muttered, looking at the ring responsible for the relay that brought them here and the five Star-Mecha before them.
"You feel like a kid in a toy museum, I feel like a rat in a lab; this place smells like a hospital," Gordon said, standing next to Isaac. The helmsman, like it or not, was one of the four humans to draw Admiral Ignis's attention, so he's standing next to Captain Anderson and XO Shepard.
"In a way, we are. This place is clearly designed for safety and to avoid possible biological accidents," Isaac said, speaking stoically but with a note of youthful enthusiasm he hadn't felt in a long time.
"You sure know how to lift a man's spirits," Malloy commented dryly, not at all amused.
"A welcoming committee like you don't often see," commented Captain Anderson, noting at each step they descended the mass of soldiers waiting for them.
"Maybe I need glasses, but it looks like some of them are huge and some are extremely small?" Malloy said, squinting to focus on the shapes.
"You don't need glasses, they're all different sizes. Maybe there are child soldiers?" Aiden Shepard muttered with a look of disgust.
The idea irritated him deeply; he preferred to imagine children with toys, not weapons, even though he himself, at fifteen, had already had to make morally ambiguous choices to survive.
"The idea of child soldiers is too barbaric for aliens with such technology. Why would you need small, ineffective children when you can build such masterpieces of warfare?" Isaac said, treating the sight of the Star Mechs as the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen in his life.
"I'd rather not think about being under the roof of aliens who embrace the idea of child soldiers. Can anyone offer an alternative explanation?" Malloy asked, searching for a reason to remain calm.
"Extreme sexual dimorphism or a conglomerate of races. If USKY travels intergalactically and has a protocol for determining whether an alien race is hostile or neutral, there must be a benevolent option. If there is, it means there are relationships of trust, collaboration, and recruitment," Isaac said, trying to be logical and reasonable, with an optimistic streak.
"If you're right, Isaac, things get better and worse a thousand times in every category," Captain Anderson muttered, his shoulders feeling heavier than before.
With each step the silhouettes became clearer and more defined; Isaac's hypothesis of extreme sexual dimorphism faltered, while the idea of a multitude of races became more authentic.
Captain Anderson understood what this might mean: the Citadel Council was no longer the only coalition of sentient races around.
Many of their protocols and plans had to be changed, because never in their entire history had they had to communicate with such a governing body.
On the one hand, the presence of multiple races was a reassuring sign: it indicated that USKY was not a xenophobic or genocidal civilization.
The chances of being executed simply for one's physical appearance or cultural differences dropped dramatically.
On the other hand, however, the military picture was frightening.
A multiracial coalition meant an immense recruiting pool and an untold number of planetary economies to support the war and technological effort.
Before them was not just an army, but the tip of the iceberg of a war machine fueled by a multitude of different worlds.
The crew of the five ships completed their descent from the ramps, compacting into a single mass of men and women on the surface of liquid metal.
The captains of the four frigates, Ed Mercer, Kelly Grayson, Malcolm Reynolds, and John Carter, moved quickly forward, closing ranks around Captain Anderson.
Despite the confusion of the moment, the hierarchy remained intact: they lined up alongside Anderson, recognizing him as the commander of their patrol force and the only authorized spokesman before that alien army.
Ahead, the wall of black armor and purple visors of the USKY waits motionless, creating a stark contrast between the blue uniforms of the Alliance and the dark metal of the Mechanicus soldiers.
'If I get out of here alive, I'll resign, move to New York City, and start writing detective stories for a living,' Malcolm thought.
As that absurd thought crossed his mind, he squeezed between Aiden Shepard and John Carter. He felt almost protected by their presence: they were the only two N-7s on the entire patrol, the most trained and lethal soldiers the Alliance could field, a thin line of human defense between him and the unknown.
"Nice to see you, Ed and Kelly. Accepting those promotions didn't put us in a crazy situation at all," Malloy whispered to his two friends, a hint of sarcasm cutting through the tension.
Until a few months earlier, Malloy, Ed and Kelly had been serving on the same ship.
After a series of successful missions, their paths had diverged: Ed and Kelly had been given command of their own frigates, while Malloy had been promoted to helmsman of the SSV Tokyo.
"You can blame me for ruining my marriage for an affair with an asari, but don't blame me for this situation," Kelly replied softly, dismissing the accusation pragmatically.
'How many races are there? I think I count six, maybe seven?' thought Aiden Shepard, straining to map the silhouettes before him.
While the giant races and the Lalafell were easy to isolate, the human-sized ones blended in; their uniform armor made it nearly impossible to distinguish their distinctive features.
"Why do they carry melee weapons? A cultural thing? To make us feel comfortable?" Isaac muttered, examining the details of the equipment with a concentration greater than Shepard's.
"Yes, six-foot-tall giants with battle axes—the ultimate in reassurance," Malloy commented, much preferring to face krogan and turian pirates rather than stand there.
Suddenly, the air in front of Anderson's group of officers vibrated.
A life-sized, three-dimensional hologram materialized with a barely audible hum.
The projection showed two figures: the Admiral of the Fleet, Ignis, and at his side the Lady High Scientist of Mechanicus, Amelia Blight.
The sharpness of the image was such that they seemed physically present on the liquid metal bridge.
"Captain Anderson and fellow Captains, welcome aboard the Moonbreaker," Ignis began, accompanying his words with a formal courtesy greeting.
"If you ever betray me, do it with someone like that and I'll have nothing to say," Ed whispered to Kelly, struck by the aliens' appearance. For him, those space elves possessed an uncommon attraction.
"Believe me, if I get the chance, I will," Kelly replied softly. If the asari were considered the standard of beauty in their galaxy, these aliens seemed to belong to a higher category.
Captain Anderson, meanwhile, was observing the two holograms with a clinical eye.
'Isaac's idea of sexual dimorphism wasn't entirely wrong,' Anderson thought, noting the vast difference in height and features between Ignis and Amelia.
'A tall, shapely elf woman... someone else can take care of the krogan pirates and turians,' Malloy thought.
The helmsman had officially been captivated by the allure of the long ears and the idea of abandoning that post was increasingly less exciting for him.
"Meet Amelia Blight, the Lady High Scientist of Mechanicus," Ignis continued, indicating the woman beside him. Amelia gave a small, friendly smile, which caught the attention of several men and women.
"She is one of the nine most important figures at Moonbreaker and the one responsible for the special treatment you have been given thus far," Ignis explained in a professional tone.
'If this is the light way, I don't want to see the heavy way,' was the unanimous thought of every human who had witnessed the capture of their fleet.
"I hope the journey here hasn't been too long or too turbulent. Personally, I consider the Sanguinius Protocol's attitude too bellicose, but it's better to apologize and offer a small compensation than to have to repair the Starship and pay the crew's medical bills," Amelia said in a friendly voice. Her aura was the opposite of the Fleet Admiral's cold, martial one.
'So there's an asari in this sea of turians; that's a small blessing,' thought Captain Anderson, appreciating having someone more open to conversation.
Amelia's hologram turned towards the battalion.
"Could you please remove your helmets? According to our scans, humans are harmless and rather fragile," Amelia asked, turning to the soldiers.
'We're not fragile,' many humans thought, but their gaze quickly returned to the ten-foot-tall giants with battle axes larger than men; the physical disparity was undeniable.
"Whoever wants can do it, there will be no repercussions," added Admiral Ignis, deciding to second Amelia's diplomatic efforts.
About thirty soldiers obeyed. The helmets weren't removed manually, but folded and fused inside their armor thanks to smart metal technology.
"Are those Furries?" Ed muttered, seeing several extremely attractive girls and boys with animal ears and two with halos above their heads.
"How many races are there?" asked Aiden Shepard, struck by the diversity that still retained a resemblance to humans and asari.
"The USKY has united under its banner twelve races who serve the Royal Family and their noble goals. In addition to the twelve full races, we have gathered over the centuries immigrants and refugees from various races who have not joined us," Amelia explained, referring to the Teekaz and Terrans present in the containment bay.
The two Teekaz women, of Sankta lineage, smiled at the humans, making a gun gesture with their fingers.
A female Terrans of the Vulpo race, with fox ears and tail, shook her head in displeasure at this childish behavior.
"Didn't you have to get hit by a bus if you wanted to end up in an isekai?" Malloy muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair and having the courage—or stupidity—to say what many were thinking but keeping to themselves.
"If you say such a thing in front of the Lord Trader, you'll be beheaded," Ignis said, not liking the helmsman's liberties.
"It's unlikely. The Rogue Trader Militant, aka our Leader, has a high level of tolerance for new species that don't know much about us.
"Except when someone insults his intelligence, his strength, or my presence or the Royal Family; then he loses his mind and I can't change his mind," Amelia said, trying to reassure and warn the humans at the same time.
Aiden Shepard elbowed Malloy hard in the ribs to shut him up.
"Form a line of two and follow the corridor, you will be escorted by these soldiers; you have a train to catch," Admiral Ignis said, motioning for the humans to move.
"Does this place have a train?" Malloy asked, finding it unlikely that a ship could have a train inside.
The closest human couldn't hold back and stomped on his foot to make him walk.
Continues...
XXX
Author's Note:
If anyone is wondering, yes: I am a fan of The Orville, Castle and Arknights.
XXX
Codex - Civil High Command (CHC):
It is the bureaucratic and vital heart of the colony. Under the guidance of the High Secretary, the Prefects transform the Governor's strategic directives into material reality.
XXX
Leader: High Planetary Secretary
Purpose: To coordinate the entire civil machine. He is the "glue" between the Prefects and the Governor.
Role: Manages data flows, validates executive orders, and resolves jurisdictional conflicts between departments.
Real Counterpart: City Manager / General Secretary.
XXX
Prefect of Logistics and Resource Allocation
Purpose: To ensure that the colony does not run out of supplies.
Role: Manages the "Planetary Budget": energy credits, kilograms of metal, cubic meters of oxygen. Decides who receives what and when.
Real Counterpart: Councillor for Budget and Heritage.
XXX
Prefect of Planetary Infrastructures
Purpose: Maintain the physical integrity of the base.
Role: Oversees the maintenance of the fusion reactors, the stability of the habitation modules and the transportation network (orbital elevators, tunnels).
Real Counterpart: Councillor for Public Works.
XXX
Prefect of Expansion and Relief
Goal: Conquer alien soil in an orderly fashion.
Role: Map the planet, issue mining concessions, and decide where new domes will be built to avoid areas at risk of earthquakes or radiation.
Real Counterpart: Councillor for Urban Planning and Territory.
XXX
Prefect of Biosphere and Terraforming
Purpose: To create and protect a livable environment.
Role: Manages total waste recycling, air and water purification, and planetary weatherization programs.
Real Counterpart: Councillor for the Environment and Urban Hygiene.
XXX
Prefect of Integration and Subsistence
Purpose: To prevent social collapse and hunger.
Role: Manages communal dining, assigns housing for new settlers, and provides psychological support for the stress of spatial isolation.
Real Counterpart: Councilor for Social Services and Housing Policies.
XXX
Prefect of Health and Bio-Safety
Purpose: To protect the population from biological threats.
Role: Manages hospitals, quarantine protocols for returning visitors, and research on potential alien pathogens.
Royal Counterpart: Councillor for Public Health.
XXX
Prefect of Social Protocol
Purpose: To maintain high motivation and human identity.
Role: Manages the Governor's propaganda, organizes recreational events (essential for morale), and preserves Earth's historical archive.
Royal Counterpart: Councillor for Culture and Communication.
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Prefect of Arcane and Scientific Phenomena
Purpose: To transform the unknown into a controlled resource.
Role: Oversees advanced research laboratories, studies the planet's magical anomalies, and provides technical/arcane support to SPECTRA specialists
Real Counterpart: Councillor for Innovation and University Research.