7 Chapter 7 - The Arrival - Part 2
In the midst of the ferocious battle unfolding on Earth, a cosmic event of substantial proportions was taking place in a far-off corner of the universe.
A ripple in space-time, a phenomenon as intriguing as it was rare, was observed distorting the cosmos. Gradually, it seemed as if the very fabric of reality was undergoing a metamorphosis, warping and bending under the influence of unseen divine hands. The spectacle, a dance of cosmic forces, was as awe-inspiring as it was ominously foreboding.
From this twisted, fluctuating fold in reality, two ships emerged as though they were phantoms stepping out from a different realm. The first was an attack pod, a compact vessel designed for swift, precise strikes. Its purpose was clear, and without a moment's hesitation, it charted a course for Earth, disappearing swiftly into the cosmic void like a comet streaking across the night sky.
Trailing the pod was a massive DAUNTLESS class warship, an imposing leviathan of a ship engineered for heavy combat and strategic operations. Its size was colossal, a testament to the advanced civilization that built it, and its silhouette cut an imposing figure against the backdrop of twinkling stars and swirling galaxies. The warship, initially following the pod's trajectory, was akin to a protective guardian shadowing its charge.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, the warship lost the signal from the pod. The sudden loss of connection brought the colossus to an abrupt halt in the newly arrived star system. Like a predator that had lost the scent of its prey, the warship lingered, caught in a state of uncertainty.
Quickly adapting to this unforeseen circumstance, the warship's onboard AI sprung into action. It began a systematic and rigorous search for the lost pod, processing vast amounts of data and scanning the surrounding space with relentless determination. The AI, a marvel of technology, worked tirelessly, its circuits humming and lights flashing as it sifted through the cosmic noise to find a trace of its companion.
The warship's primary objective was clear and unwavering: to find the pod and, more significantly, locate the entity that lay dormant within it. This individual, the unseen passenger in the pod, was of utmost importance. The AI's efforts were not merely for the sake of completing a mission; they were a testament to a bond between machine and passenger that transcended the depths of space and time.
Inside the warship, in the exact moment it emerged from the spatial ripple
"ALERT: Spatial anomaly detected. The fabric of space has been warped."
"ALERT: Main ship ensnared by the anomaly. Engaging protocols to follow the main ship."
"ALERT: Critical error detected in the fusion drive system. Unable to manoeuvre or change course."
"ALERT: Star mapping failure. Unable to align star positions with onboard star charts."
"ALERT: Connection to main ship lost. Initiating emergency procedures."
"ALERT: Coming to ALL STOP. All systems are being powered down."
"ALERT: Attempting to reestablish connection to main ship. Scanning for signal."
"ALERT: ERROR. No signal found. The main ship remains unresponsive."
Despite the relentless efforts of the AI, the attempts to reconnect with the main ship continue to end unsuccessfully for a gruelling 48 hours. During this period, in a desperate bid to expand its scanning capabilities, the ship's AI launched drones in various directions, extending the reach of its sensors across this uncharted expanse of space.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity in the cold, silent void, it detected a faint signal.
"ALERT: SIGNAL TRACE DETECTED. The SIGNAL is faint and barely within detection range. Calculating telemetry data. Path plotted. Retracting drones. Engaging fusion drive."
The behemoth of a ship had embarked on its journey, aligning its course towards the faint signal it detected in the far-off cosmos. The onboard AI, an epitome of advanced technology and unwavering determination, piloted the ship with a singular, resolute goal: to reunite with its master aboard the main ship. The AI was an unstoppable force, ready to confront and overcome any obstacle that dared to stand in its way. However, it was blissfully unaware of the thrilling sequence of adventures that were waiting to unfold in its path.
As the ship plunged deeper into the unexplored territories of the cosmos, it would be drawn into encounters with a variety of cosmic entities. Ruthless pirates hunting for bounty, relentless bounty hunters seeking their prey, the Preserver and even the Green Lanterns would cross paths with the ship. Each confrontation would evolve into a fierce struggle for survival, leading to a chilling aftermath of floating bodies left in the ship's wake. The Green Lanterns, who audaciously attempted to hinder its progress, would also meet the same grim fate.
Throughout its journey, the ship's relentless determination coupled with its daunting record of casualties, earned it a reputation that inspired fear across the cosmos. It was christened the 'ship of death,' a name that sent shivers down the spine of all who heard it. Its infamy grew with each harrowing encounter, etching its mark as a symbol of terror in the annals of space.
In the foreseeable future, this growing infamy of the ship would serve as a catalyst, leading Orach to the doorstep of the guardians at Oa. These ancient beings, in their hubris, demanded that the ship and Orach stand trial before them. However, they were in for an unexpected and harsh awakening. They were served a brutal lesson on the fragility of their own immortality: for all their endless lifespan, even immortals could meet their end.
However, these confrontations and lessons were a part of the future. As of now, the ship had just started its perilous journey across the expansive, uncharted cosmos. As it sailed through the vast star-studded void, its mission had only just begun, heralding the start of an odyssey marked by danger, adventure, and the tantalizing mystery of the unknown.
Within the confines of an Attack pod, phasing in and out of subspace towards the Earth system
"ALERT: Spatial anomaly detected," the robotic voice echoed within the confines of the Attackpod, the sound bouncing off the sleek, metallic walls. The words hung in the air, instilling an edge of tension that prickled the skin.
"ALERT: Ship caught in the grips of the anomaly," the voice continued, each word adding to the growing sense of unease. Caught in the unpredictable whirl of the spatial anomaly, the Attackpod was no longer in control of its own trajectory.
"ALERT: Error detected in Space Law drive. Unable to alter course," the voice announced, its tone unchanging despite the dire circumstances. The Space Law drive, responsible for the precise and controlled navigation through the vast expanse of space, was failing to respond.
"ALERT: Star positions do not align with onboard star charts," it informed, its robotic voice devoid of any emotion. The electronic star maps embedded within the ship's intricate navigation systems were failing to make sense of their surroundings. The stars, usually familiar landmarks in the vast cosmos, were now unrecognizable.
"ALERT: Connection to support ship lost." The statement hung heavy in the air. The support ship, was now unreachable.
"ALERT: Deploying coordinate buoy with telemetry data." The Attackpod, in its last-ditch effort to maintain a connection with the warship, jettisoned a buoy filled with critical telemetry data. This small device, floating in the vast emptiness of space, was their last hope to be found.
The buoy shot out from the pod, a beacon of hope in the darkness of space, ensuring that the warship would be able to trace the path the pod took and find its way back to it.
"ALERT: Switching to survival protocols. Priority is the host's safety," the voice announced, its tone as steady as ever. Realizing that it could not control the Space Law drive and had lost the support warship, the onboard AI made the critical decision to focus on the survival of its precious cargo - the slumbering figure within.
The ship had a total of only five small but advanced buoys and launched them one after the other in a strategic manner, ensuring each did not fall beyond the range of the other. Each buoy, a tiny blip in the cosmic vastness, formed a breadcrumb trail back to the attack pod.
The final buoy was dropped when the pod passed the dwarf planet Pluto, officially entering the Earth star system. It continued on its trajectory towards the young planet, where the epic tale of the slumbering figure within would begin. Unpredictable and exciting, the journey was only just beginning.
