Chapter 7: The Contested Frontier

The journey to the contested system, designated Arkanis-12, was tense and quiet. The Erebus hummed with a low vibration as it cut through hyperspace, the ship’s advanced systems calculating precise jumps to avoid detection. Though the ship felt alive under Thomas’s command, it also felt heavy with the weight of what was to come. This wasn’t just about proving humanity’s worth to the Galactic Concord. This was about saving lives—alien lives—and showing the galaxy that Earth was ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best and brightest.

As the ship approached its destination, Solace spoke.

“We are nearing Arkanis-12,” the AI announced, her voice calm yet laced with urgency. “Long-range scans indicate an active conflict zone. The colony’s defenses are strained, and Kael’dar forces have established multiple beachheads across the planet. I recommend caution upon entry.”

Thomas nodded, gripping the armrest of his command chair. “Caution’s good, but we’re not here to watch. Gear, Zara, status on the weapons systems?”

Gear, seated at a terminal nearby, turned to face Thomas. “Guns are primed, shields are holding, and I’ve got a few surprises loaded into the targeting systems. Let’s just hope we’re not walking into a buzzsaw.”

Zara chimed in, her eyes glued to her console. “Buzzsaw or not, we’ll know soon enough. I’m patching into local comms now ... looks like the colonists are broadcasting a distress signal on multiple frequencies. It’s bad, Thomas. They’re begging for help.”

Elena, seated to Thomas’s right, leaned forward. “If we don’t act quickly, there might not be a colony left to save.”

Thomas clenched his jaw. “Then we act fast. Solace, take us in.”

The Erebus exited hyperspace with a sudden lurch, the vast expanse of Arkanis-12 filling the viewscreen. It was a lush, green world dotted with sprawling forests, mountain ranges, and glistening oceans, but the beauty was marred by the unmistakable signs of war. Fires burned across the planet’s surface, plumes of smoke rising into the atmosphere. Orbiting the planet were debris fields—remnants of destroyed ships, both Kael’dar and colonial.

The crew’s faces hardened as they took in the sight.

“Solace,” Thomas said, his voice cold. “Scan the battlefield. What are we looking at?”

“Scanning now,” Solace replied. A holographic display materialized above the main console, showing the planet’s surface in vivid detail. Red markers indicated Kael’dar positions, while blue markers represented the beleaguered colonists. The colony’s primary settlement, Haven City, was surrounded on all sides, its defenses barely holding.

“The Kael’dar have deployed ground troops and mechanized assault units,” Solace explained. “Their forces are concentrated around the colony’s energy core—a critical target. If they take it, the colonists will lose power, shields, and life support.”

“And their orbital presence?” Thomas asked.

“A single Kael’dar frigate remains in low orbit, providing support to the ground forces. It appears to be damaged but still operational.”

“Perfect,” Zara said with a wicked grin. “One ship’s manageable. We take it out first, clear the skies, and then hit the ground.”

Thomas nodded. “Agreed. Everyone, battle stations. Let’s show the Kael’dar what we’re made of.”

The First Strike The Erebus surged forward, its engines roaring to life as it closed in on the Kael’dar frigate. The alien ship was an imposing sight—sleek and angular, its hull shimmering with an otherworldly, black-metallic sheen. Pulsing energy veins ran along its surface, giving it the appearance of a living organism.

The Erebus was faster, however, and Thomas’s team had the element of surprise.

“Target their weapons array,” Thomas ordered. “Gear, what do you have for me?”

Gear’s hands flew across his console. “Loaded up a spread of plasma torpedoes and EMP disruptors. Should mess with their targeting systems long enough for us to get in close.”

“Fire,” Thomas commanded.

The Erebus unleashed a volley of plasma torpedoes, each one streaking through the void like a comet. The first torpedo struck the Kael’dar frigate’s shielding, creating a ripple of energy across its surface. The second and third torpedoes followed, breaching the shields and slamming into the ship’s hull. Explosions erupted along its starboard side, sending debris spiraling into space.

The Kael’dar ship retaliated, its energy cannons firing bright, green beams that narrowly missed the Erebus. Zara, seated at the navigation console, expertly piloted the ship through the barrage, her hands moving with practiced precision.

“Keep us moving!” Thomas shouted. “Gear, hit them again!”

This time, the EMP disruptors were deployed. They detonated just above the Kael’dar frigate, creating a burst of electromagnetic energy that temporarily disabled the alien ship’s targeting systems.