FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 4 â€" The Collective

Location: Alexandria Sector

The Alexandria army had been caught unprepared and were now paying the price for that. Half the battle-fleet engaged hopelessly against on massive ship, a dark spiny sleek vessel of unknown origin had appeared through Pegasus Drive right in front of the ship-yard, destroying most of the vessel docked there in the opening volley.

Over twenty ships were firing on the vessel with magnificent violet beams and were having no effect on it as it was like shooting through a pond, leaving just ripples on the obsidian black surface.

The new Valkyrie that had only been half repaired was sitting in the dock. After loosing half of the hull in the Battle of Terra, the Alexandrian and Terran design team had felt that it was their duty to rebuild the Valkyrie more powerful than before. The new Valkyrie had the same triangular-shaped front half that both the original and the two hundred and fifty old progenitor had but was smaller and sleeker by about a factor of ten. However it was not finished and the experimental shields, weapons and engines had only just been fitted, not even tested yet.

The Bridge of the Valkyrie had changed to, on the wall where there used to be a window, there was now a computer display system which allowed a tactical analysis of a situation. The consoles on the bridge had changed to a much more updated operating system however remained true to original Terran design.

Djynn, who had been promoted to Commander following the death of Miles, now was wearing a new uniform that was black with blue highlights. A symbol of the union between Terra and Alexandria against the Asgard. Other members of the crew were feverishly working on consoles and the lights flickered as a couple of blasts hit dangerously close to the ship.

"Captain Flyssa" shouted a crew member. Djynn rolled his eyes, he hated this military bullshit. He had taken over since he was informed that Captain Colin had been relieved of command and he did not feel comfortable from the start. He was a civilian and the military treated him like he was in it. He turned to look at the young, blue eyed Alexandrian fox who stared back at him expecting an answer.

"Yeah?" he called out from across the bridge while staring at the tactical display. He could not believe that size of the monstrosity out there and just when the Alexandrians had believed that treat of attack was gone.

"Sir... three fleets of ships have either been disabled or destroyed... that.. that.. whatever is heading straight for Alexandria. We have to help...!"

"What good will one ship do against that?" asked Djynn, his short, green tail waggling a little in confusion. He looked back at the young officer and he could instantly see the fear in his eyes. He understood that fear, he felt it during the Battle on Terra but he survived that and he was sure as hell going to survive whatever this was.

"But.. sir!" the fox moved forward to complain and Djynn stopped him.

Djynn understood the boys frustration, he was watching his home threatened, it was not a nice thing to cope with. Djynn remember from his childhood, one day he was a happy boy playing in the swamps of Paradeen, a planet that was a more of a farming community then Terra. And the next...

He did not want to remember that and he had to concentrate, the crew needed his support but he had no idea how to command a ship.

"Give me an advanced scan of that ship, perhaps the experimental sensors can help us to find out more about it." he commanded.

"Good idea" replied a voice who entered the Bridge. He turned around to see a rather scruffy husky walking onto the Bridge with Ultraviolet and Blackfire behind him.

Djynn was overjoyed. Finally he could give the responsibility of command to someone else and just continue with his usual job of general ship operations. "Captain Colin!" he shouted.

Colin winced and held his head as he almost tumbled forward, the effects of the alcohol wearing off and leaving him with a rather nasty hangover. That was the nasty thing about Terran Whisky, it was very strong but very quick to wear off and leave you with a horriable hangover. "Please... stop shouting" said Colin delicately as he sat down in the captain's chair. His head was pounded enough already. "Commence the scan."

The next few seconds Djynn walked over to the console and began tapping away at the new touch-screen display. After a few seconds, he responded.

"The new sensor grid is picking up there is some form of liquid that is protecting the hull of that ship... what!?" he said in complete confusion. "It's organic..."

"Could that be an Asgard vessel?" asked Blackfire as he went to help Djynn with the analysis. The bridge shook again, but more violently this time.

"No.." called Ultraviolet before she gave Djynn a chance to respond. "I'm sensing a different kind of celestial energy then the Asgard... similar but different..."

A million different things started rushing through Colin's mind, was it a new enemy? where were they from? why did Djynn just give up command to him after he had been relieved?

why did he feel like shit?

"Power up our new shield grid" ordered Miles, making Blackfire look like he was going to wet himself with excitement. The Valkyrie suddenly became encased in an orange bubble which protected it from the missiles that were pounding the station.

Djynn stared down at the console in surprise, he had said that Blackfire's idea about the shields was a terrible idea and would collapse immediately. "Shields are... holding?" he said in surprise as Blackfire crossed his arms triumphantly and silently stuck his middle finger up to Djynn.

Outside the unknown obsidian black ship continued to casually toss ships aside with powerful beams of black energy that just ripped through the ships hulls as if it were paper.

"Those energy beams...!" shouted Djynn at Colin. "They have the combined power of a star... there is no way even with the shield improvements we could withstand that!?"

The battle was over before it had even begun, with the unknown ship moving through a glowing graveyard of ships and the half destroyed space dock that was the pride of Alexandria. The ship continued to move in the upper atmosphere of Alexandria and remained there, this huge mass of black blocking out the sun, the light... anything good.

Queen Songbird raced to watch the ship that had blocked out the day, she stood out of the Balcony. The air grew heavy and cold, she turned around to find her counsellors to discuss the situation and attempt to surrender.

"Songbird..." said a female voice, as she turned around to find a human woman staring at her. The woman's skin was a slight tint of green followed with various veins that were pulsing back through the skin along her face and neck, her eyes were red and darker then ever seen before. "A pleasure to meet you, your majesty..."

Queen Songbird was suddenly very frightened but she kept her compulsion as a leader. "Who are you?" she asked calmly, her voice shaking slightly.

"Me... oh I just say... a ghost from the past." The human woman marvelled at the planet's beautiful architecture displayed in the marble throne room, delicate murals that were crafted into the marble pillars of the room. "Hmmm... nice place..."

"Look... we are prepared to surrender but please do not harm my people. It was my choice to help the resistance."

"... Oh... Don't worry about that" said the woman. "We have decided to be kind since you were so help in our efforts to confuse and delay the Asgard while we rescued our sister." she said smiling.

"Then... maybe.." said Songbird with heartfelt words. "You will not destroy my world like Terra..."

The woman pursed her lips together and walked beside Queen Songbird. "Not... yet..." Songbird felt relieved that she had bought her people some time. At least the destruction of her world, all that she cared for was a little further away.

"Allow me to introduce myself... I am Ada, sister goddess of Galladia. Our race was known as Asgard until we discovered the miracle stone... Now we are more, we control a vast race of organic beings so unique in power that they can devour worlds... and now... your majesty. It think you shall begin to see the light in darkness..."

She moved closer and closer to Songbird who felt her heart pounding through her chest as she slowly moved back. Ada's arm rippled as it was water and reformed into a mechanical instrument that was also a living being as well... it was dripping and disgusting.

Bang!

A bullet fired into Ada's arm, being absorbed instantly. Songbird turned round to see Munchy running towards her with a handgun firing at Ada. Ada quickly used her other arm to extend an arm out to Munchy which her narrowly avoid, rolling behind a pillar.

Songbird used that as an excuse to run, she attempted to run into the hallway but another tentacle shot out in front of her and slapped her aside, she landed on the floor unconscious.

Munchy changed the magazine while pressed up against the pillar, he could hear Ada laughing. He had never seen any power like that before, it was completely unbelievable. Munchy popped his head out to shoot at Ada and instead a tentacle was waiting for him instead, smacking his straight in the face.

He dropped to the floor knocked out.

"He is definitely strong..." Ada said to herself, looking over Munchy before allowing a smaller green tentacle to extend from her finger into Munchy's mouth. She smiled as she worked.

The plan was coming along nicely...