Chapter Text
<===============================>
Distress Signal
Aleph-kappa-78A4B,
Author (verified)
LNDK-Patience-Evergreen-00,
Transmission is intact and whole,
Content follows
“This is colony administrator Patience,
broadcasting to all available parties
on behalf of Landmark Colonial.
Evergreen colony is under attack by
advanced forces, fielding directed energy
weaponry, and mechanized chassis. We
have suffered 14 casualties so far.
We are overmatched, and request military
support.
Full details on the objectives and
requirements, as well as the
presumed origin of the raiders
to follow this transmission.
All interested parties contact
Landmark Colonial Contracting Dept.”
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Union Navy 11th Fleet (ANNAMITE LINE)
Responding to distress signal
Aleph-kappa-78A4B,
Reports dispatch of Peacekeeper unit
“Sequoia-Bravo-79549”,
Consisting of
5 Dismounted Pilots,
Proceeding under Landmark Colonial
Union Intervention Standard Contract
(assent assumed),
With anticipated transit period of
34 days Evergreen Standard Time.
<===============================>
Author (verified)
LNDK-Patience-Evergreen-00,
Transmission is intact and whole,
Content follows
“Patience accepts on behalf of
Landmark Colonial Contracting Dept.
No other contractor need apply.”
<===============================>
Union Aux. Peacekeeper unit:
“Sequoia-Bravo-79549”,
Stationed on Civilian Freighter
“Comfort”,
Responding to distress signal
Aleph-kappa-78A4B,
Reports expected arrival within
3 days (Evergreen Standard Time).
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The planet had split off from it’s star and over the previous days it had grown to be the cloudy wall that filled the horizon. Patched with greenery and cracked dead sections, Hercynia looks almost mangy under the thick cloud cover. Sequoia-Bravo squad sprawls across the observation deck, staring out at it. Ensign Sidram tugs at the collar of his flight suit. It’s not uncomfortable per se, but after the relaxation of dress code on the month long flight, it’s a marked contrast. He steps up to the window, and turns, silhouetted before the theater of operations.
“We’ve arrived in the Hercynia system, and should be touching down this time tomorrow. Our mission brief is to secure the colony, capture and disarm these alleged bandits, and make sure that Union law is preserved. Nothing significant changed from the initial briefing.” He sighs, rubs at his temple, and then continues.
“However, there’s a complication of course. How many of you actually watched the history documentary I shared?”
All but Lee raise their hands.
“That wasn’t just local color.” Sidram says, and starts ticking off points on his fingers while looking at Lee. She looks a little embarrassed, but pays attention.
“First confirmed alien sentience, funny looking moth beetles. Some sort of spooky hivemind structure. First contact went south, and the second committee burned the world down.”
Sidram says, and shakes his head.
“That was kind of their last act. The backlash from having killed the only other sentience we’ve found sparked riots, and eventually the coup that brought us to third committee. It’s pretty foundational to pretty much everything Union does now.”
Sidram shrugs, the mood sombre. When he continues, he speaks briskly, chivvying everyone back to the briefing.
“It’s old history, centuries old, but there’s some historical baggage we have to be aware of on this mission, because the local administrative NHP thinks that the bugs are back.”
Lee flicks something from her terminal up onto the window, and a flat triangular head, with two large compound eyes stares back at them. Two sets of smaller eyes, like stylized tears nestle under it. The mouth parts are folded neatly away, and two thickly furred antennae pass out of the frame. In stark yellow block letters the word “Egregore” is splashed across the bottom third. The projection wavers, updating to maintain contrast against the changing surface of Hercynia beyond.
“Artists rendition” Lee adds, looking down at the slate in her hand. “But based on real data.”
“It’s the freakin cover art for the documentary.” Ash quips, shaking his head and leaning back into the couch seats. “There was some messed up shit on that.” He looks back at Sidram, and directly.
“Do you think the bugs are back?”
Sidram opens his mouth, closes it and then shrugs. “If they are back, this is way above our paygrade. Personally, I think this is corprolitica shit. Landmark Colonial really wants this colony to succeed, they’ve sunk a lot of manna into it.”
He dismisses the image with a flick of his hand, and then straightens his collar.
“Best way to mess up the colony image to rake up the past. We aren’t here to play political games, so we aren’t going to say a word about what we see, unless it’s cleared up the chain. Full hostile theater information discipline, outward only.”
There’s a collective groan at that, but no one actually speaks up. Sidram inwardly smiles. His squad was good, they might complain and sometimes Ash or Lee would get too casual, but they did what needed to be done.
“Final notes, we are under Landmark Colonial/Union intervention contract. We report to administrative NHP planetside. There’s an escape clause in there, but I don’t want to have to use it. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes sir.” comes a ragged chorus. Sidram straightens to attention, and the squad scrambles to their feet. “Meet in the hangar at 0500 tomorrow, everything packed out. Squad dismissed.” They all snap off a salute and start to file out, Sidram calling after the last one. “Oh and Lee? Watch the documentary let’s stay on the same page.”
Lee looks back and nods, before leaving Sidram to watch over Hercynia as it turns.