Aberrant: Infinite Earth - Fiction - Operation: Returning Shadow

[Silvertalon]

Suddenly space itself started to fold in on itself shifting and warping as massive as if something was tearing though the fabric space itself. The smaller ship was rocked slightly by the immense energy of a fleet emerging from warp itself. The first ship was a massive hulk itself punching though the disturbance in space as if it did not exist. As the massive ship slowly emerged with three escort sized ships kept in close combat formation with the hulk. Slowly six smaller vessels emerged from the warp shortly after flanking the hulk on each side. These ships stayed in a loose formation combat formation. These vessels looked to be faster and far more agile then their larger counter parts more like strike craft of some sort. These smaller ships emerged fully from the warp as smaller fighter craft were being launched from all bays. The hulking space craft slowly kept emerging from warp well after all the other smaller ships launched their fighters.

[spoilertag:Fleet Info]

The hulk, size: five miles long, three miles high. Constructed with highly dense materials that can with stand the force of a collapsing star. Weapons unknown, Defensive systems: Unknown. Quantum signature: Detected Massive, Quantum tech: Yes... -Preliminary Scans-

Escort Vessels, Size: Half a mile length, quarter mile high. Constructed of similar materials as that of the hulk. Grappling arms, Weapons unknown. Defensive systems: Unknown. Quantum signature: Detected Marginal, Quantum tech: Yes.

Strike craft, Size: Quarter Mile long, 2/10ths a mile high. Constructed of lesser materials then that of the hulk. Weapons unknown, Defensive systems unknown. Quantum Signature: Detected, slight. Quantum tech: Yes

Fighters, Size: 35 in length, 15ft height. Constructed of space worthy materials, Unmanned Craft, Weapons: Detected, ionic charged mac rounds (Rapid fire rail gun)

Current Fleet size

1 Hulk (Has yet to deploy fighters)

3 support ships

6 strike craft.

3,000 fighters

[/spoilertag]

It took the hulk a good ten minutes to fully emerge from the warp as space itself soon reverted back to normal with the massive fleet of ships holding position with in a stone throws toss. A few moments pass as the fleet takes time to assess the smaller ship, and the strange robotic looking ship on the prow. As the ship sensors actively go wild indicating massive active scanning on both Chris and itself. The scans go so deep its clear they can tell what type of life forms are aboard the ship. The pause in any start up communications might suggest slight confusion or hesitant desire to take any action for the moment. But it isn't long before the com-line is active on all channels light up like a christmas tree all of a sudden. It seams they want to talk....

[The Traveler]

"Sarah... open a channel."

Sakurako watches at her ace in the hole still under a blue tarp. "I know you understand the language I speak to you in..." She says, the ship's translator speaking in the tongue Shadow uses. "I am the captain of this ship. The machine you see before you standing on the bow is my bodyguard. And I have more where that comes from."

"Think for a moment. I have no obvious weapons outside of my bodyguard, you are completely stumped as to who I am. If you have access to any records collected by your other cross-universal travelers, you will know of a name. Some call me the storm at the eye of the galaxy, the last of her kind, as constant as the light of a quasar and as sure as a black hole stops light. I am The Professor... last daughter of a fallen Earth. I have stared down the Hive itself and made them blink. You aren't anything close to them!"

"And if you intend hostility be warned, I will retort. So if that is the case, then what you got to ask yourself is... who goes first?"

She knows she's bluffing. But to put her best cards on the table first while keeping better ones hidden might buy time to formulate an actual strategy.

"Professor, I am banning you from watching Doctor Who. Ever. Again." Sarah says over a second, secure comlink.

The Professor just smiles and returns Sarah's communication over the second channel. "I met a Nova like him once. It was an honor to travel with her for a few universes. A young girl full of questions and regrets. Now just keep Shadow safe and if need be get Zeph and Shadow and Yourself to a escape pod if things get too hot. I and Chris will make our stand here."

She adjusts her suit. "Now to see if their admiral responds..."

[Mech]

Chris knew he should be impressed. It was tech he'd never seen, yet still he wasn't. Something within him spoke quietly You can take them, all of them he unfolded his arms and listened for the reply from the enemy fleet, hopefully, Violence wouldn't be the way of things.

[Silvertalon]

Aboard the Hulk...

"Capt'n, the ship is un-armed mostly like the scouts have reported although some type of mechanical construct seams to be on the prow of the ship there is no records of such a device in our data base.... The techs are eagerly looking over the new scan's of this device we should have a better understanding shortly." The rats tail twitches excitedly, "The ship itself has some known tech that we can readily identify, bio mass that we never came across interlinked into the warp systems and other tech that doesn't even register at all! That's only just the preliminary analysis."

The capt'n nodded slightly, "Indeed a worthy catch of the day!" He laughs heartily placing his large hand on the rats shoulder. "So do tell me mouse... Whom do we thank for our feast today for such a fine catch?"

The rat chuckled softly with a soft chitter of tongue, "Mmm..... Well lets see...." Slowly his gleeful look changed into complete confusion as mouse reviewed the biological data. "What is this?!? Is this some type of joke?... No.. it.. isn't.... The sensors are correct... But what are they..... Wait a moment the sensors are just now detecting a faint dying Fenrisian life sign....."

The capt'n cocked his head slightly his cheerful expression turning into a grim faced frown as he reviewed the data himself. "What the hell is this?" As he reviewed the data himself. "What ever they are that ship will be ours..." He growled a little not liking the fact he is dealing with an unknown alien race of some sort.

"Sir! Incoming communication form the ship.. On screen now!" that rat squeaked in surprise as their prey was first to open up communications.

-Professor-

"I know you understand the language I speak to you in..." She says, the ship's translator speaking in the tongue Shadow uses. "I am the captain of this ship. The machine you see before you standing on the bow is my bodyguard. And I have more where that comes from."--

"So the prey thinks they claws do they now...." A chuckle rose from his lips as his gaze fell to the rat whom was busy with the controls for a few moments. "Interesting how they know common fenrsian language interesting indeed..."

"Sir... Sensors detect no other ships in the galaxy other then our fleet... No ripples detected in the warp... Outside of what we see here they are alone.."

"Just as I thought... No claws all bark, so much in common with mangy mongrel dogs it seams." the capt'n said with a amused grin.

-Professor-

"Think for a moment. I have no obvious weapons outside of my bodyguard, you are completely stumped as to who I am. If you have access to any records collected by your other cross-universal travelers, you will know of a name. Some call me the storm at the eye of the galaxy, the last of her kind, as constant as the light of a quasar and as sure as a black hole stops light. I am The Professor... last daughter of a fallen Earth. I have stared down the Hive itself and made them blink. You aren't anything close to them!"

"And if you intend hostility be warned, I will retort. So if that is the case, then what you got to ask yourself is... who goes first?"-

The amused grin and laughter soon stopped as the capt'n glared at the screen listening closely to the last part of the message. "Mouse! open in encrypted channels to the fleet!"

"Encrypted channels open sir." -mouse-

"Fighter escort move behind shield barrier in front of the hulk! Strike craft Hinto, Senito and Altiero... Position yourself towards the front of the voidstar and provide cover triangulated suppression to keep the enemy from breaching the shield. Anto, Guto and Sinto prepare for rapid deployment maneuver three on my mark."

What the professor and the others see.

The fighters seam quickly start moving taking a combat formation in front of the hulk more so defensive measures acting as screen of some sort. All the while three of the strike craft move into combat formation around the hulk keeping close to the front of its prow. The other three fly so close to the hulks hull they become blend into back drop so vanish from sight most likely have landed on the hulk in one of the hanger bays one would assume. The three support ships much larger then the strike craft keep their current position. Other then that the unknown fleet has only made a defensive moves but clearly it was not standing down as a very uneasy feeling filled the pit of everyone stomach.

Aboard the hulk....

The capt'n glare turned to the view screen, "Now hoist the colors! An open a com!" The capt'n angrily roared!

As the professor and crew waited and watched to see what reply they would get. The AI on the ship noticed something and the screen zoomed over to what looked to be a high point on the ship something small was being hoisted up and out into space as it straightened out and before everyone eyes the Jolly Roger flew! Animal skull and bones! Then a com signal was detected coming from the hulk itself shortly after!

[The Traveler]

The Professor smiles as she sees her viewscreen feed. "Looks like escape is not an option. Sarah... looks like you're going to keep the Hikari Maru out of harms way while we defend her. Answer their com."

"Do you think that is wise after you pissed them off?" Sarah shakingly says.

"I think they consider me a threat to their dominance of this sector. I made a grave miscalculation... we're going to have to go to war."

Sarah answers the pirate fleet's hail.

The Professor turns on the main comlink cameras in the cargo hold, making sure they only focus on her. "Pirates... ah, I see. So you're worst scum than I thought. I am The Professor. Sakurako Hino. Special Agent of Section T of the Brittanian Powers Agency."

She looks into the camera. "I would attempt to remind you of transdimensional treaties signed and which articles you have violated, but I doubt the law matters to outlaws like you. I have seen Hive fleets much larger than yours..."

"If you must know, I am capable of mounting a defense, and a fairly decent one at that even against your sizable force. Also knowing that you are pirates your crew resources are probably stretched thin even for a ship the size of your capitol ship. I advise that this not only is not worth your time and effort to go through the typical motions but that the overall result of your soon to be misadventure will be a near complete loss and nothing to show for it."

"I will only state this once, then my conscience will be clear if you fail to to heed my warning, and it is a warning not an idle threat. You will die if you commence hostilities. I would rather you left us in peace and went about your business. I'm giving you this chance. Don't waste it in needless bloodshed."

Her stance and expression is grave and firm. She means what she says. "Do the smart thing for your crew. If you have any concept of a Captain's duty to their crew... you would stand down, turn around, and leave."

"And it should be noted... I do not bluff. Do not tempt the dragon."

[Mech]

Connor stood, a sword appearing in one hand, in the other a beam rifle. He seemed to sigh, knowing this was going to be one of those days.

[Silvertalon]

The view screen flickered a few times before an imposing image of a lion stood glaring directly at the professor. His jaw clenched sightly as hew chewed on some type of long grass like twig of some sort. He wore a captain's with gold trimming with a black lip that has a few gnashes giving a sense of wear and tear. His main pulling back behind the hat down past his shoulders as he wore a black trench cloak around his shoulders. His eyes gleamed showing his anger as a deep growl rose from his lips in a roaring yell.

"WHO THE F*** DO YOU THINK I AM! I THE ONE THAT HOLDS THIS GALAXY IN MY CLUTCHES! I AM THE ONE THAT HAS RAZED COUNTLESS WORLDS! YOU ARE NOTHING MORE WEAK CRY AMONGST MANY WHOM HAVE FALLEN TO MY MIGHT! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"

A wicked grin toothishly plays across his muzzle taking a moment to calm down, "Your tech, ship and your lives belong to me! Surrender like good prey and maybe i'll let you live."

He raised his hand towards the monitor grasping the air with his claws extended with a deep growl, "If not I'll be more then happy to pry it from your cold dead bodies!" His eyes narrowed as a wicked laugh rang out as the monitor cut out.

A few moments past as a audio clipped in. "You have a several moments to choose your fate!" A electronic like voice chipped in.

The energy signature spiked suddenly as the fleet started to charge its weaponry as every ship stayed in position awaiting the attack order. so many smaller ships and large ships so close together presented quite a opportunity.

[The Traveler]

"Then whatever creator you believe in... make peace with them."

The Professor cuts off the comlink.

"Sarah, prepare evasive maneuver package 23. Chris, target acquired. Commence Hostilities."

She pulls the tarp off of her trump card and smiles. "I will be out there to join you soon, Chris."

"Sarah, what is Shadow's condition?"

"Shadow is stable, her vitals are starting to climb to her baseline first registered on her arrival. I think she will be conscious soon."

"Sarah... I hate to ask..."

"I know... I doubt going to the escape pods would help now anyways."

"You're far safer here. Trust me. I gotta get out there."

"Good luck, Professor."

[Mech]

"I have had enough of this." Connor took flight, leaving the deck, knowing what he was about to do would be recorded. "You have failed to heed all warnings I have issued. The fightercraft were coming in hard now, and he stopped, the rifle and sword vanishing. Over his heart a cowling opened, revealing a glowing aperture. "Be gone." From the aperture a blue-white beam with an angry red core shot out, a positron cannon, and played over the field. The various fightercraft simply ceased to be, a thousand drones gone in a single attack.

The shields on the bigger ships held, and fired back. Still against such a small target, they could never hit him. Several more blasts cleared the rest of the fightercraft, leaving the dreadnaught and it's escort. "Standdown now, I will spare your lives."

"Go to hell."

"Very well." He shifted again, pushing the limits of his power, now a half kilometer techno knight. He extended his right arm, which split apart as a three barreled canon. The ships attacked, hitting him as he moved to shield the Hikaru Maru. "People I care for are in danger, You will not harm them." The canon fired, but even it wasn't enough to overload the shield.

"You talk a big game, but even so, we're impervious."

"To one, how will you fare agaist a dozen?"

"You only have yourself."

"Check again."

In an instant there were a dozen copies of Chris, exactly as he was, each a half kilometer starship turned mech, with their guns aimed at the ship. "That's impossible."

Those were the last words anyone heard, as all thirteen fired, converging the beams from the heavy reaction quantum canons on a single point driving the shield into a cascading surge and failure. This imploded and exploded, buffeting the fleet of Chris' and totally annihilating the enemy ships.

Somewhat drained after a display like that, Chris shifted back to his human form, landing on the bow of the ship, his copies all vanishing back into nothingness, as he Flashed a thumbs up to the camera. "Nobody... Hurts..Those... i....." Then he pitched forward exhausted.

[The Traveler]

The Professor sees the utter display...

"Sarah... SARAH! Get out there and get Chris outside at once! His quantum signature is flatlining fast!" She says, seeing the green bar representing his energy dropping rapidly on her HUD built into her glasses. She takes her helmet off in disbelief.

"All those ships... gone..."

She staggers back and slips on a discarded canister and takes a header into the wing of what she was going to deploy but didn't get the chance to. She falls unconscious in the bay from shock. Blood gushing from a gash in her head.

==48 Hours Later==

The Professor wakes up in Sick bay, a bandage on her head and... electrode pads?

She staggers to her feet and she feels different. Looking in a mirror she sees what happened... "Oh no... not again."

Seems the marks on her chest are from revival attempts. "3, pull up logs on the events of my death..."

Three appears beside her. "Yes Mistress... welcome back, by the way. You died at approximately 18:32 hours when you suffered a massive concussion compounded by bloodloss in Hangarbay 1. Sarah did her best to revive you but your body was found 1 hour after the incident that caused your injury. I think Sarah liked you as you were."

Sakurako sees her longer hair, and more mature body. "She has to realize that I am who I am."

The Professor's tone was more confident now, like a true commander. "What is the status on our passengers?"

"The creature known as Shadow has been left with Brittanian authorities. It wold be for the best until she made a full recovery. Zephraine has also left the ship."

"And what of Chris?"

"He is fully functional and has recovered from his traumas. He is awaiting word of your regeneration from Sarah or from yourself."

"What of the ship?"

"It is currently a sunny day in Cardiff Bay, Brittanian Earth. We are floating at one of the piers near the Millennium center."

"I take it the ship has a new form?"

"Negative, it's reverted to the form of the Life Raft it was in when I arrived."

The Professor sighs. "I actually liked having a real starship."

She rummages around and finds her flightsuit in a personal effects box and puts it on. Since it was designed around a memory polymer, it adapted to her body fast.

"Three, thank you for the update. I must get to the Bridge."

She activates her comlink. "This is The Professor, I request everyone's presence on the Bridge in 5 minutes. At least whoever is remaining."

She sighs as she takes her helmet and starts making her way for the bridge.

[Mech]

Chris jumped to hear her voice, and made his way to the bridge. He'd fought for her only to find her dead from a stupid accident. He'd been relatively despondent afterwards, going through the motions hoping she'd come back.

He got the bridge and spoke, before seeing her. "DOn't ever do that to me again, young lady..."

[The Traveler]

The Professor quirked an eyebrow and marched right over to Chris and planted one on his lips.

"Can't help it, lost complete control of bodily function."

Sarah walks in and sees the new Professor standing with Chris and she feels... a Bit lost.

"Professor?"

"Would it be anyone else, Miss Hideyoshi?"

Sarah blinked.

"I think we need a new crew." The Professor says looking at the view screen.

"One that is a bit more dedicated to their duties. Chris, you've performed admirably in handling that threat. If you wish to stay, my ship is your ship."

Chris nodded.

"Sarah."

The Professor put her hand on Sarah's shoulder. She was wearing one of the school-girl like outfits The Professor had a habit wearing in her previous incarnation.

"I'm sorry... I think you thought you had a friend dear... that is why you got so connected."

She hugs Sarah. "I.. I've always thought of you as my... Daughter."

"I promise, Whatever happens... from here on... I will always be The Professor... Captain of the Hikari Maru..."

Sarah looked up. "It's not that..."

"What is it?"

"My Father... Is Dead."

-FIN

The Professor will return in Episode 2: The Princess and the Professor!