Chapter 9: The Kael’dar’s True Motives

The crew of the Erebus gathered in the ship’s war room, an expansive chamber where holographic displays projected star maps, data streams, and intercepted communications. The atmosphere was tense, thick with uncertainty. Thomas Harper—now not just the ship’s captain but humanity’s representative in the galaxy—stood at the head of the room, his eyes fixed on the glowing, three-dimensional image of a Kael’dar fleet. The stolen data from their operative had revealed disturbing new information, and it weighed heavily on his mind.

Solace, the enigmatic AI core of the Erebus, floated silently at the center of the room, its golden, orb-like form pulsating faintly as it processed the data. The rest of the crew waited for the AI’s analysis, each member carrying a mixture of apprehension and anticipation.

Finally, Solace’s voice echoed in the room, calm yet undeniably ominous. “The Kael’dar’s interest in Earth is not merely to enslave its population. Their primary objective is the Erebus itself.”

The room fell silent, save for the low hum of the ship’s engines. “What do you mean?” Thomas asked, his voice steady despite the unease creeping into his chest.

Solace’s orb glowed brighter, and the holographic display shifted to show a series of ancient star maps and cryptic glyphs. “The Erebus is a relic of the Altherian Dominion, an ancient galactic power that ruled over thousands of civilizations before vanishing approximately ten millennia ago. The Altherians were pioneers of advanced technology, capable of harnessing energy beyond anything known in the galaxy today.”

Zara, seated near the comms console, leaned forward. “Wait, are you saying this ship is ... alien? Like, really ancient alien?”

“Precisely,” Solace replied. “The Altherians’ technology is far superior to even the Kael’dar’s. The Erebus is a weapon, a transport, and an archive of Altherian knowledge. Its activation has made it a beacon, drawing the attention of any species capable of recognizing its value.”

Thomas frowned, piecing it together. “That’s why the Kael’dar came after us so fast. It wasn’t just about Earth—it was about the ship.”

Elena, standing at the tactical console, crossed her arms. “And we just handed them a roadmap straight to it by activating the Erebus. Nice going, Captain.”

The jab wasn’t without merit.

Thomas had questioned his decision to awaken the ship more than once. But now, he stood by his choice. “We didn’t have a choice,” he replied firmly. “Earth was under threat even before the ship woke up. At least now we have something to fight back with.”

Lyara, the Nerai envoy who had joined their mission, stepped forward. Her bioluminescent body shimmered faintly, reflecting the tension in the room. “The Altherian relics are more than tools of war. They are artifacts of a civilization that vanished under mysterious circumstances. If the Kael’dar understand even a fraction of their power, they could use it to subjugate the entire galaxy.”

Thomas turned to Solace. “You knew all this. Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”

The AI’s voice remained steady, though a faint note of defensiveness crept in. “Because the mission is paramount. Humanity’s survival depends on the Erebus. Without it, you have no hope of resisting the Kael’dar or the other threats that lie beyond your star system.”

“Other threats?” Zara interjected, her voice rising. “You’re saying there’s more out there than just the Kael’dar?” “There always is,” Solace said cryptically.

Fractured Trust

The revelations fractured the fragile trust the crew had in Solace. Elena voiced what others were thinking. “So, let me get this straight: you woke this thing up knowing it would paint a giant target on our backs? How do we even know you’re on our side?”

Solace’s golden orb dimmed slightly, as if mimicking the flicker of doubt. “I was programmed to serve the Chosen Pilot, to guide and protect humanity. My motives align with your survival, but I will not lie—activating the Erebus has accelerated certain ... events.”

Lyara tilted her head, her luminous eyes narrowing. “Events such as the awakening of the Kael’dar’s latent ambitions? You’ve unleashed forces beyond what this crew—or even this galaxy—can handle.”

Thomas raised a hand to silence the brewing argument. “Enough. We can’t change what’s already happened. The question now is: how do we use this knowledge to stay ahead of the Kael’dar?”

Solace brightened again, projecting a series of glowing Altherian symbols. “The Altherians designed the Erebus to evolve with its pilot. As you bond with the ship, Captain, its true capabilities will unlock. There is one such opportunity nearby—an Altherian site hidden within the Shard Nebula.”