The Vanguard Protocol
Copyright© 2024 by Sci-FiTy1972
Chapter 8A: The Contested Frontier
Act II — The First Intervention
The jump to Arkanis-12 was silent, but the tension aboard the Erebus was not.
Space folded and unfolded in controlled segments, each transition calculated to minimize detection. The ship moved like a predator that understood restraint—fast enough to matter, quiet enough to remain unseen until the moment of choice.
Thomas sat in the command chair, hands resting loosely on the armrests. He could feel the ship through them now—not as a machine, but as a presence responding to him. The sensation unsettled him. Power should never feel comfortable.
Around him, the crew worked in focused silence.
Gear monitored weapons and shield harmonics, muttering to himself as if daring the Erebus to misbehave. Zara’s eyes flicked constantly between feeds—local comms, passive scans, encrypted chatter. Elena stared at the tactical overlay projected above the central console, her jaw tight.
This wasn’t theory anymore.
This was intervention.
“We are nearing Arkanis-12,” Solace announced. “Long-range scans confirm an active conflict zone. Kael’dar forces have established planetary beachheads. Colony defenses are nearing collapse.”
The hologram resolved into a rotating world—lush continents fractured by fire. Smoke curled into the upper atmosphere. Orbital debris glittered like ash.
Zara swallowed. “They’re broadcasting open distress. No codes. No filters. Just ... asking for anyone.”
Elena’s voice was barely audible. “They’ve been alone.”
Thomas leaned forward. “Gear.”
Weapons status green,” Gear replied. “Shields holding. And I adapted the Concord plasma lattice into the firing solution. It’s ugly—but effective.”
Thomas nodded once. “We act fast. No heroics. We stabilize and pull back if this goes sideways.”
Zara shot him a look. “You don’t believe that.”
“No,” Thomas said quietly. “But I need you to.”
The Erebus slipped from hyperspace.
Arkanis-12 filled the viewport—beautiful, burning, alive.
And there, hanging in low orbit like a sentry guarding slaughter, was a Kael’dar frigate.
Its hull was angular and organic, black-metal plates layered like chitin. Red energy veins pulsed beneath the surface, not decorative—functional. Alive.
“Kael’dar frigate detected,” Solace said. “Damaged but operational. Coordinating orbital fire and ground assault.”
Elena exhaled sharply. “They’re strangling the planet.”
Thomas’s voice hardened. “Then we cut the grip.”
Orbital Engagement
“Target weapons arrays first,” Thomas ordered. “Disable command and control.”
Gear’s mechanical hand danced across his console. “Plasma torpedoes loaded. EMP disruptors standing by.”
Zara leaned forward. “They’re scanning. Not aggressive yet—curious.”
“Then let’s answer the curiosity,” Thomas said. “Fire.”
The Erebus surged forward.
Plasma torpedoes streaked across the void, slamming into the frigate’s shields. Energy rippled. The second volley punched through, carving molten scars along the hull.
The Kael’dar responded instantly.
Green energy lanced toward them—precise, surgical. Zara twisted the Erebus through the fire, motion smooth and terrifyingly calm.
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